MOSCOW – The Kremlin confirmed on Thursday that President Vladimir Putin has not had any contact with former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the possible release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is imprisoned in Russia.
This statement comes after Trump claimed on his social media platform Truth Social that he would use his relationship with Putin to secure Gershkovich’s release if he wins the U.S. presidential election in November. Trump did not indicate any current communications with Putin.
“Here, Putin has naturally not had contacts with Donald Trump,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Peskov emphasized that negotiations about detained individuals must be conducted quietly and discreetly to be effective. “Contacts about detained persons must be conducted in complete silence and absolutely discreetly,” he said. “This is the only way they can be effective.”
Evan Gershkovich was arrested in Russia in March of the previous year on charges of espionage, which he, his newspaper, and the Biden administration have vehemently denied. Gershkovich has been held in a Moscow prison for over a year, with no trial date set.
The lack of communication between Putin and Trump on this matter underscores the complexities and sensitivities involved in international negotiations for detained individuals.