Washington also reportedly wants to sweeten the deal with a “narrow” sanctions relief
The US is on a worldwide search for people who could be put up for a potential swap involving former serviceman Paul Whelan and journalist Evan Gershkovich, both currently held by Moscow on espionage charges, CNN reported on Thursday, citing three sources familiar with the matter. According to the report, the US is also “exploring narrow sanctions relief” in order to entice Moscow into a prisoner exchange.
The White House approached several countries, including those holding alleged “Russian spies” in their custody, in order to determine if they would be willing to participate in a future swap, CNN said. Brazil, Norway, Germany, and an unnamed former Soviet bloc country were mentioned among states contacted by the US regarding a possible trade.
Russia’s ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, blasted the US last month for “its policy of hunting Russians around the world.” He cited estimates that more than 100 Russians were being held behind bars in the US.
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However, Washington currently does not have “any high-level Russian spies” or other high-profile inmates in its custody whom Moscow would view as candidates for an exchange, sources told CNN.
Gershkovich, a journalist and reporter for the Wall Street Journal, was detained in Russia in March and charged with espionage. Whelan, a former US Marine, was arrested in late 2018, also on espionage charges. In 2020, he was sentenced to 16 years in jail. Both men denied any wrongdoing.
Despite tensions over Ukraine, Moscow and Washington have recently conducted several high-profile swaps. Last year, Russia released basketball star Brittney Griner who was serving a nine-year-sentence after being convicted of smuggling drugs. The US, meanwhile, handed over businessman Viktor Bout who was serving a 25-year-sentence on arms trading charges.
Also in 2022, the US released former pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko in exchange for ex-US Marine Trevor Reed.