Former President Donald Trump predicted that detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich will be released by Russia almost immediately following this year’s presidential election. Trump claimed that Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, will ensure Gershkovich’s release for him, but not for anyone else, and that the US will not have to pay anything for it. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Putin has not had contacts with Trump, casting doubt on the former president’s assertion.
Evan Gershkovich, a 32-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter, has been detained in Russia since March 2023 on espionage allegations that the US government and his employer have dismissed as absurd. Despite losing an appeal to end his pretrial detention, Gershkovich is expected to remain behind bars until at least June. Trump had previously made a similar claim regarding Gershkovich’s release at the end of April, stating that the reporter should be released and that he would ensure his freedom if he were in office.
The interview with Trump also included discussions about his second-term ambitions and plans for dealing with Putin. When asked about why he has not called for Gershkovich’s release on spying charges that are seen as dubious, Trump mentioned that he has other pressing issues to focus on. In contrast, President Biden has repeatedly called for Gershkovich’s release and has stated that his administration is working to bring both him and another imprisoned American, Paul Whelan, home from Russia.
President Biden has made public appeals for Gershkovich’s release, mentioning him during his address at the recent White House Correspondents’ Dinner and urging Putin to free him immediately. Despite Trump’s assertions about Gershkovich’s imminent release, it remains to be seen whether Putin will act on behalf of the former president as claimed. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between the US and Russia, particularly regarding the treatment of journalists and individuals detained on questionable charges.
As Russia intensifies its offensive in Ukraine, the partnership between Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping has been reaffirmed, signaling a no-limits cooperation between the two countries. This development adds another layer of complexity to the geopolitical landscape, as the US navigates its relationship with both Russia and China. The fate of Evan Gershkovich and other individuals caught in the crosshairs of these global power dynamics remains uncertain, underscoring the need for diplomatic efforts to secure their release and ensure their safety.
