As of: 04/02/2023 6:21 p.m
Telephone calls between the two have become rare, but now US Secretary of State Blinken has spoken to his Russian colleague Lavrov – and has called for the immediate release of the recently imprisoned Wall Street Journal reporter.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for the immediate release of imprisoned American journalist Evan Gershkovich in a rare direct conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. The US State Department said Blinken and Lavrov spoke on the phone on Sunday.
Blinken conveyed the US government’s “great concern” about the reporter’s detention and called for his immediate release. The conversation was also about long-time imprisoned US citizen Paul Whelan.
Lavrov refers to the court’s decision
Since the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, phone calls between the two foreign ministers have become rare. After the meeting, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Lavrov asked Blinken to respect the decisions of the Russian authorities, which are in accordance with the legislation and Russia’s international obligations. The court will decide on the further fate of the reporter, Lavrov said accordingly.
In addition, the Russian side stressed that it was unacceptable for Washington officials and Western media to exert pressure with the intention of giving the case a political slant.
Gershkovich faces up to 20 years in prison
A court in Moscow issued an arrest warrant against Gershkovich on Thursday for alleged espionage for the United States. The Wall Street Journal journalist had also researched Russia’s war against Ukraine. He was initially in custody until May 29, the court said.
Gershkovich faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The “Wall Street Journal” rejected the allegations against his employee. The White House called the espionage allegations ridiculous and strongly condemned Gershkovich’s imprisonment.
US President Joe Biden also called on Russia on Friday to release him. The American Paul Whelan, on the other hand, has been in prison in Russia for several years – also on charges of alleged espionage.