President Biden Condemns Russia’s Use of Americans as Bargaining Chips: Calls for Release of Detained Journalist Evan Gershkovich

On Friday, President Joe Biden reiterated the United States’ firm stance against Russia’s exploitation of Americans for political leverage, specifically referencing the “appalling attempts” made in Evan Gershkovich’s case. Gershkovich, a 32-year-old reporter for the Wall Street Journal, was apprehended by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) on spying charges on March 29 of the preceding year. This incident marked the first instance of a U.S. journalist being detained under such charges in Russia since the Cold War era.

In a statement released by the White House, President Biden expressed unwavering support for Gershkovich’s release, assuring his parents and the public of continuous efforts toward achieving this goal. He condemned Gershkovich’s detention as “wholly unjust and illegal” and pledged to denounce and impose consequences for Russia’s actions in using Americans as bargaining tools.

Despite international calls for dialogue on possible prisoner exchanges involving Gershkovich, the Kremlin insisted on maintaining complete silence on the matter. Both the journalist, the Wall Street Journal, and the U.S. government vehemently refute the espionage allegations made by the FSB, which claimed Gershkovich sought military secrets.

Evan Gershkovich has spent the past year incarcerated in Moscow’s high-security Lefortovo prison, closely associated with the FSB, with his detention recently extended to June 30. Bipartisan leaders in the U.S. Congress, including Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, joined in condemning the journalist’s arrest as baseless and unjust.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored the chilling effect of Gershkovich’s arrest on Russia’s already constrained media environment, characterizing it as further oppression. Additionally, both President Biden and Secretary Blinken condemned the detention of Paul Whelan, a former Marine arrested in Moscow in 2018 and sentenced to 16 years on spying charges in 2020, despite the denials from Whelan and the U.S. government.

President Biden concluded his statement by extending solidarity to Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and all Americans unjustly detained abroad, reaffirming the commitment to their safe return and relentless pursuit of justice.