Putin Doubles Down on Spy Claim About Jailed Journalist Gershkovich

Former Fox News anchor, Tucker Carlson, conducted an interview with Vladimir Putin that lasted for over two hours. The interview was pre-recorded and aired on Thursday. During the interview, Carlson asked Putin about the current conflict in Ukraine as well as the imprisonment of Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist.

After revealing the upcoming interview, Carlson has been receiving backlash from reporters who claim that he ignored Russia's lack of freedom in the press and could potentially aid in the promotion of Russian propaganda.

Initially during the interview, Carlson seemed to express empathy towards Putin's distorted recollection of history as a means to rationalize the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which he described as the genuine perspective of the Russian leader.

However, Carlson resisted Putin's allegations that Gershkovich, who works at The Wall Street Journal, is a spy, and inquired if Russia would allow the journalist to be freed so that he could return to the United States.

Putin mentioned in an interview that there are no prohibited actions in regards to resolving this matter. He mentioned that they are open to finding a resolution, however, some specific conditions are being talked about through confidential communication channels. Putin is confident that a mutual agreement can be achieved.

In Russia, special services are commonly used as a term to refer to intelligence agencies without official recognition.

The journalist continues to refute the allegations against them.

Putin spoke publicly about Gershkovich for the first time since The Wall Street Journal journalist was imprisoned in March 2023 on false accusations of espionage, which many believe were made for political reasons. This is the most detailed statement made by Putin on the matter.

Gershkovich's employer, along with himself and the U.S. government, are strongly refuting the accusations made against the reporter. The State Department of America has additionally stated that Gershkovich is being wrongfully held.

Putin seemed to suggest that Moscow could trade Gershkovich for a Russian hitman currently incarcerated in Germany.

Vadim Krasikov is the hitman who was convicted in a German court in 2021 for the murder of a former Chechen rebel leader in Berlin in 2019. According to the court, the Russian authorities instructed Krasikov to carry out the killing and he was given a life sentence in prison.

Putin stated that an individual, driven by love for their country, eradicated a criminal in a major city in Europe.

According to The Journal's prior report, Moscow is seeking the release of Krasikov in exchange for Gershkovich as part of a potential prisoner swap.

There is no proof or indication of any form of spying or espionage.

Although Gershkovich has been imprisoned for almost a year on suspicion of espionage, Moscow has yet to produce any concrete evidence to corroborate the charges. During his interview, Putin reiterated the claims of spying but offered no substantiated proofs.

Carlson disputed the accusations of espionage and stated that the individual is clearly not a spy.

The ex-Fox News presenter inquired of Putin whether he would set Gershkovich free "as a symbol of your dignity." Putin gave an answer stating that Russia does not have any more "acts of kindness" to offer.

During the interview, there was no discussion about another American journalist who is currently incarcerated in Russia. The journalist in question is Alsu Kurmasheva, an editor based in Prague who works for the Tatar-Bashkir Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which is affiliated with VOA.

Kurmasheva, who holds citizenship from both the United States and Russia, made a trip to Russia in May 2023 due to a family emergency. However, when she attempted to depart the country in June, authorities took away her passports.

In October, while she was waiting for her passports, she got caught on charges of not registering as a "foreign agent." Afterward, the authorities accused her of spreading untrue information about the military in Russia.

Kurmasheva and the company she works for both deny the accusations made against her.