MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian deputy international minister stated that talks with the United States on a possible prisoner alternate that may free Americans held in Russia are hampered by publicity and an alleged disparity within the U.S. negotiating stance.
The U.S. State Department stated final week that Russia rejected a number of proposals for releasing Paul Whelan, an American convicted of espionage, and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was detained in March and is going through espionage prices.
“Here, as in many other areas, we observe the American traditional desire to get more for ourselves and give the minimum, as they say,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated in an interview with the Interfax information company that was revealed Friday.
The United States has declared each Whelan and Gershkovich to be wrongly detained, and their instances have attracted substantial media consideration.
“The American media, in general, at the instigation of the current administration, are actually engaged in savoring these stories,” Ryabkov alleged. “This is a very difficult process, even when it is conducted confidentially behind closed doors.”
“It is interesting that the participants in these contacts on the American side insist on their complete confidentiality. We also adhere to this line, but then certain turns occur when the White House regularly makes leaks and begins to discuss sensitive issues in the public space,” he stated.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated final week that Moscow was discussing Whelan and Gershkovich with the U.S. and the Kremlin hoped to “find a solution.”
Whelan, a company safety government from Michigan, has been jailed in Russia since his December 2018 arrest on espionage-related prices that each he and the U.S. authorities dispute. He was sentenced to 16 years in jail.
Gershkovich was detained in March whereas on a reporting journey to the Russian metropolis of Yekaterinburg, about 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) east of Moscow. He was accused of espionage.
