Russia has said today it was waiting for the United States to respond to its propositions regarding a prisoner swap, days before US reporter Evan Gershkovich was set to face trial in Russia.
Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was arrested in March 2023 on espionage charges rejected by his family, employer and the White House as false.
President Vladimir Putin said in February that talks on a prisoner swap involving the journalist were underway, but the Kremlin has not given any details on the progress of the negotiations.
Gershkovich is set to face a secretive trial in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg on June 26 and could face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
Washington has accused Moscow of arresting its citizens on baseless charges to use them as bargaining chips to secure the release of Russians convicted abroad.