The United States government proposed a new offer to free American journalists Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, both currently incarcerated in Russia on allegations of espionage. However, this proposal was met with a firm rejection from the Russian authorities, as reported by US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. He elaborated that there had been a recent, substantial offer made by the US, which the Russians had flatly declined. The details of this offer were left unsaid.
Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal correspondent, was arrested in Yekaterinburg at the end of March, accused of espionage. He and his employer vigorously deny these claims. Similar accusations have been levied against Paul Whelan, an American who has been in Russian custody for several years.
The offer from the US Department of State to release these two individuals sparked widespread interest, with media outlets such as the WSJ taking a keen interest in the situation and diplomatic talks between the US and Russia ensued.
Although specifics of the US government's offer to Russia remain undisclosed, it has been suggested that prisoner swaps could have played a role. For instance, a deal involving the release of several Americans, including Gershkovich and Whelan, was reportedly part of a wider exchange involving 16 individuals from Russia and Belarus.
However, the sources do not provide a clear picture of the exact terms or concessions offered by the US in this context. Instead, they focus on the broader diplomatic effort and the significance of the prisoner swap. For instance, US President Joe Biden praised the deal as a "feat of diplomacy," criticizing Russia for orchestrating "show trials" and wrongfully accusing American citizens of espionage. The role of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) in mediating the swap, involving 26 individuals from prisons in multiple countries, was also noted.
In summary, while the US made a proposal for the release of Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, both held in Russian custody, Russia rejected the offer outright. Although the specifics of the offer remain unknown, the use of prisoner swaps has been suggested as a possible component. Diplomatic efforts and the wider significance of the prisoner swap have been extensively covered by various media outlets.
