Putin say russia does not refuse to return jailed us citizen

Russia is in contact with the US about possibly swapping prisoners, but any agreement “must suit both parties,” President Vladimir Putin said when asked about detained American citizens Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan.

“We have contacts with our American partners on this matter, the dialogue on this matter is ongoing,” Putin said Thursday at a marathon combined news conference and citizen call-in event. “We want to reach an agreement, and these agreements must be mutually acceptable and must suit both parties,” he said, adding, “It’s not easy. I hope we find a solution.”

Putin took the question about Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, and Whelan, a US Marine veteran, from the New York Times during his first major televised event of the kind since he ordered the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.