Lavrov and Blinken discussed the arrest of The Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich.
“Lavrov drew Blinken’s attention to the need to respect the decisions of the Russian authorities on Gershkovich, who was caught red-handed,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The department also added that Lavrov and Blinken during a telephone conversation allegedly raised some topical issues of a bilateral nature.
In its turn WSJ reportsthat during the negotiations Blinken sought the release and fair treatment of the detained journalist.
Specifically, the Secretary of State told Lavrov that the continued detention of Gershkovich and another wrongfully detained American, Paul Whelan, was “unacceptable” and that they should be released immediately.
Recall that on March 30, WSJ journalist Evan Gershkovich was detained in Russia. He is accused of allegedly “spying on a Russian military-industrial complex enterprise.”
Later, the Lefortovsky District Court of Moscow arrested the journalist. He could face up to 20 years in prison.
The Wall Street Journal appealed to Russia demanding the release of a correspondent who was detained by the FSB.
United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Washington strongly condemns the journalist’s arrest.
Read more about the event in the RBC-Ukraine article.
Read urgent and important messages about Russia’s war against Ukraine on the channel RBC-Ukraine on Telegram.
