The United States allowed the possibility of exchanging Americans for Russians convicted abroad

Washington is exploring various options for returning American Paul Whelan and The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) journalist Evan Gershkovich, convicted of espionage in Russia, to the United States. John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the White House National Security Council, said this on CNN.

“We don’t want to enter into public negotiations, but I can tell you that we are working very hard to ensure that Evan and, of course, Paul return to their families, where they belong,” – said he, commenting on the possibility of an exchange (quote from RIA Novosti).

Paul Whelan was detained in Moscow at the end of 2018 on suspicion of espionage. The defense argued that the American was the victim of a provocation. Whelan himself pleaded not guilty. He is currently serving a 16-year sentence in a strict regime colony in Mordovia. The United States has repeatedly noted that Washington is negotiating with Moscow to release Whelan.

WSJ journalist Gershkovich was detained by the FSB in Yekaterinburg on March 30. According to the intelligence service, Gershkovich collected secret information “about the activities of one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex.” The Lefortovo Court of Moscow on March 30 took the American into custody.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Ryabkov noted that the question of exchanging Gershkovich, who was arrested on charges of espionage, could be reviewed only after the verdict of the court.