U.S. Ambassador in Russia Meets Imprisoned Wall Street Journal Journalist

Lynn Tracy, the U.S. Ambassador to Russia, met on Monday, June 3, with Evan Gershkovich, the imprisoned Wall Street Journal journalist. According to the Wall Street Journal, this is the second meeting between Lynn Tracy and the American journalist, who has been detained since March 29 on charges of 'espionage.' Gershkovich, 31, had his request for temporary release from prison until his trial on June 22 rejected by a Russian judge. Lynn Tracy has accused Moscow of engaging in 'hostage diplomacy.' Additionally, see: American journalist still detained; U.S. ambassador criticizes Russia's 'hostage diplomacy.' Russia claims without providing any evidence that Gershkovich was detained while traveling to Yekaterinburg to obtain military secrets. The Wall Street Journal has denied these allegations. The Wall Street Journal has refrained from providing details about the meeting between the U.S. ambassador in Russia and its imprisoned journalist. The first meeting between the U.S. ambassador in Russia and this imprisoned journalist took place in April. The Kremlin has previously agreed to exchange prominent prisoners. The last prisoner exchange between Washington and Moscow occurred last year when American basketball star Brittney Griner was exchanged for Viktor Bout, a convicted drug trafficker. Russia has stated that it will not agree to a prisoner exchange until a verdict is issued for Gershkovich, and the trial date for this imprisoned journalist has not yet been set. Relations between the United States and Russia have reached their lowest point in over 60 years following Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Russia has extended the detention of the American journalist; the U.S. has called for Gershkovich's immediate release. Blinken on World Press Freedom Day: Media activity is 'a vital lifeblood of free societies.' A Russian court rejected the American journalist's request for 'pre-trial release.' The U.S. State Department stated that Evan Gershkovich has been wrongfully detained by Russia. Russia has 'officially' accused the American publication's journalist of espionage. Blinken, in a call with Lavrov, demanded the 'immediate release' of the American journalist in Russia. Russia has detained an American journalist on espionage charges.