The United States says Russia rejected a new proposal to free two detained Americans, Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan. "We have made a number of proposals, including a substantial one in recent weeks," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters on December 5. "That proposal was rejected by Russia," he said. Miller said that Secretary of State Antony Blinken and President Joe Biden would keep trying to find a way to free the pair, considered "wrongfully detained" by the State Department.
U.S. Says Russia Rejected 'Substantial' Proposal To Free Two Americans
U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich, arrested on espionage charges, stands inside a defendants' cage at the Moscow City Court on October 10.