US 'doing everything' to free journalists captured in Russia for espionage

The White House said Wednesday it was making efforts to free two detained Americans from Russia as it voiced indignation at journalist Evan Gershkovich being put on trial.

As Russia said it was sending “signals” to the United States about a possible prisoner swap, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that Moscow was using both Gershkovich and fellow detained American Paul Whelan “as a bargaining chip.”

“We want both Evan and Paul to know that we all care deeply about their well-being and that this administration will continue to do everything it can to bring them home,” Kirby told reporters.

He did not detail diplomacy with Russia on the two prisoners but said, “It’s alive, and we’re keeping at it.”

Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was arrested in March 2023 on espionage charges rejected as false by his family, employer and the White House.

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Kirby said that Russia allowed the US embassy only “brief access” to Gershkovich during his “sham trial” in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg.

“I’ll state it again – Evan has never been employed by the United States government. Evan is not a spy. Journalism is not a crime, and Evan should never have been detained in the first place,” Kirby said.

Kirby said that US officials were heartened by reports that Gershkovich was in good spirits.

“It’s always reassuring to see his smile and to hear reports of his morale,” Kirby said.

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