U.S. ambassador to Russia meets with imprisoned journalist Gershkovich

U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy on Monday met with detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, whom Russian authorities detained in March on suspicion of spying.

"Ambassador Tracy reports that Mr. Gershkovich is in good health and remains strong, despite his circumstances. U.S. Embassy officials will continue to provide all appropriate support to Mr. Gershkovich and his family, and we expect Russian authorities to provide continued consular access," a State Department spokesperson told The Hill.

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has accused the reporter of "acting at the behest of the American side, collect[ing] information constituting a state secret about the activities of an enterprise within Russia’s military-industrial complex," according to state media outlet TASS. Gershkovich was ordered detained until May 29, though the Russian court later extended that period by three additional months.

Gershkovich, 31, is a U.S. citizen and one of several such persons in Russian custody. Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan has been in Russian custody since 2018 on espionage charges, which he denies.

The Biden administration, in late 2022, agreed to a prisoner swap to secure the return of WNBA star Brittney Griner in exchange for the hand over of arms dealer Viktor Bout.

The deal prompted outrage within the U.S., with many questioning why Biden did not secure Whelan's release along with or before Griner. In the wake of the deal, the Kremlin suggested it was open to additional prisoner swaps, though Whelan and Gershkovich remain in custody.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.