Washington — President Biden has expressed his determination to secure the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is currently detained in Russia, through a prisoner swap.
“I am fully committed to a prisoner exchange,” Mr. Biden affirmed during a news conference in Helsinki, Finland. “I am serious about doing everything in our power to free Americans who are being unlawfully held in Russia or anywhere else, and that process is already in motion.”
The U.S. has declared Gershkovich, who was arrested in March on charges of espionage, as “wrongfully detained.” Russia has not provided any evidence to support these charges, which Gershkovich and his employer vehemently deny.
In early July, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s top spokesman acknowledged that there had been communication between the U.S. and Russia regarding a possible prisoner exchange involving Gershkovich. However, he emphasized that any negotiations should remain confidential.
Last week, Mr. Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed that “discussions” had taken place, but he did not want to give false hope to anyone.
“These discussions have not yet resulted in a clear path to a resolution, so I cannot stand here today and assure you that we have a definitive answer on how we will bring Evan home,” Sullivan stated on Friday.
The U.S. is also seeking the release of Paul Whelan, who has been detained in Russia since December 2018 and is serving a 16-year prison sentence. The U.S. similarly considers him to be “wrongfully detained.”
Gershkovich’s sister, Danielle, spoke at the National Press Club on Thursday and expressed her family’s determination to stay strong.
“I just take it one day at a time,” she shared. “Sometimes it still feels surreal. For my parents, it’s a full-time job.”
Gershkovich’s parents, who fled the Soviet Union in 1979, have made two trips to Russia since his arrest to briefly meet him before his court hearings.
Danielle Gershkovich mentioned that she receives letters from her brother approximately once a week.
“I am incredibly proud of him,” she remarked. “I’m not sure how he manages to stay so courageous, but it motivates me to remain brave for him as well.”
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