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President Donald Trump vowed to free Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich from Russian detainment before he takes office if he wins the November presidential election.
Trump declared the strong words in a Truth Social post on Wednesday as the journalist started his Russian court trial.
“EVAN GERSHKOVICH, the young Wall Street Journal reporter who is being harshly detained in Russia as his ESPIONAGE TRIAL is about to begin, will be released prior to my taking office if I WIN the Election on NOVEMBER 5th,” Trump wrote in the post.
“Crooked Joe can’t do anything right, although it is likely that he will pay $BILLIONS, which continues a very bad ‘Biden Precedent,’ to get Evan home. I got a record 58 hostages brought home, paying next to nothing. Putin has no respect for Biden – and that’s the way it goes!!! Fear not, Evan, I will get you home soon, and you will be safe while there!!!” he added.
The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that the Russian government is open to a prisoner swap as an option to free Gershkovich. Russian President Vladimir Putin noted a potential prisoner swap in February involving Vadim Krasikov, an FSB operative serving a life sentence in Germany for killing a Chechen individual in Berlin in 2019.
The outlet also posted a statement from Gershkovich’s family that stated: “These past 15 months have been extraordinarily painful for Evan and for our family. We miss our son and just want him home. We’re deeply disappointed that he will have to endure further attempts to discredit him.”
Gershkovich is scheduled for another hearing on August 13, according to Russian media.
The Biden administration previously negotiated the release of WBNA player Britney Griner, who was arrested for allegedly entering Russia with marijuana vaping containers. The deal was highly criticized over the release of Russian “Merchant of Death” Viktor Bout and the lengthy time Griner was forced to remain in Russian custody.
Biden also faces concerns related to other Americans held overseas, including Marine veteran Paul Whelan, also in Russia. Ryan Corbett is also held by the Taliban in Afghanistan, while five American-Israeli citizens have been reportedly held by Hamas since October 7.