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President Joe Biden said Thursday he is serious about pursuing a prisoner exchange for a Wall Street Journal reporter who has been held in Russia for more than 100 days.
The Kremlin indicated earlier this month that it was open to a possible prisoner exchange that could include Ivan Gershkovich, but stressed that such talks should be kept out of the public eye.
Speaking at a press conference in Helsinki, Finland, Biden made it clear that the United States is interested.
“I’m serious about a prisoner exchange,” said Biden, who was wrapping up a five-day visit to Europe that has taken him to the United Kingdom, Lithuania and Finland. “And I am serious about doing everything we can to free Americans illegally detained in Russia or anywhere else for that matter, and that process is underway.” Gershkovich was arrested on charges of espionage in the city of Yekaterinburg while on a journalistic trip. He is being held in Lefortovo Prison in Moscow, which is known for its harsh conditions. A Moscow court recently upheld a ruling to keep him in detention until August 30.
Gershkovitch and his employer denied the allegations, and the United States government declared that he was being wrongfully detained. His arrest shocked journalists in Russia. The authorities there presented no evidence to support the espionage charges.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed last week that there had been “discussions” between the two sides, but warned that there was still no “clear path” to winning Gershkovich’s freedom.
Gershkovich is the first American reporter to face charges of espionage in Russia since September 1986, when Nicholas Danilov, the Moscow correspondent for US News and World Report, was arrested by the KGB. Danilov was released after 20 days in exchange for an employee of the Soviet Union’s UN mission who had been arrested by the FBI, also on charges of espionage.
In Washington, the Wall Street Journal and Gershkovitch’s family sought to shed light on his arrest.
At a National Press Club event Thursday, Gershkovitch’s sister, Danielle, described the emotional toll from her brother’s capture. “I just try to take it day in and day out. It still feels unreal sometimes. For my dad, it’s a full time job.” She said she only received a letter from him this week.
One of the silver linings of the 100th Day Index, she said, was the publicity and attention given to her brother.
“Seeing Evan’s face on the news was really heart-warming. In such a dark time, it’s great to see his face again.”
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