President Putin Hopes There Will Be a Prisoner Exchange with the United States, But Admits the Situation is Difficult

President Vladimir Putin. (Source: Kremlin)

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin hopes an agreement will be reached, when asked about a prisoner exchange for Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and US Marine veteran Paul Whelan, but the United States must listen to Russia's conditions.

"We want to reach an agreement, and this agreement must be mutually acceptable and must suit both parties," said President Putin, when asked about the cases of the two men by a New York Times reporter at his annual press conference, reported by Reuters 15 December.

President Putin further said that Russia continues to maintain contact with America regarding this issue.

"It's not simple, I won't go into details now, but in general, I think we speak a language that is understandable to each other. I hope we will find a solution. But, I repeat, the American side must listen to us and make a decision the right one, which suits the Russian side," explained President Putin.

Separately in Washington, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said discussions were ongoing but Russia rejected the serious proposal.

"There was one that was proposed and they rejected it," Kirby told reporters.

Meanwhile, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Uncle Sam's country wanted an agreement.

"If Vladimir Putin is serious about this, all he has to do is look at the proposals we have made to secure their release, which are important proposals made in good faith," Miller explained.

It is known that Russia arrested Moscow correspondent Gershkovich on spying charges in March. Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal and the White House all denied he was a spy, or worked for the US government.

Meanwhile, marine veteran Paul Whelan was arrested in 2018, convicted of spying for the US in 2020 and sentenced to 16 years in prison. Whelan and the US government have both denied the allegations.

The Washington government considers the two men to be detained unlawfully. The US State Department said on December 5 that Russia in recent weeks had rejected substantial new proposals for their release.