- Kremlin acknowledges "certain contacts" with the US over detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
- Kremlin spokesman Peskov says talks should remain private and both sides must respect consular contact.
- US ambassador Lynne Tracey visited Gershkovich after more than two months without visits.
- Russia reported its consular officials accessed Vladimir Dunaev, detained in the United States after extradition from South Korea.
- Gershkovich was arrested March 29 accused of espionage; the US, The Wall Street Journal and he deny the allegation; previous Griner Bout swap referenced.
The Kremlin said Tuesday there were “certain contacts” with the US over detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, responding to a question about a possible prisoner exchange.
US ambassador Lynne Tracey was allowed to visit Gershkovich in prison on Monday after a gap in visits of more than two months.
Russian state media reported that Russian consular officials were also on Monday given access to Vladimir Dunaev, an alleged cyber criminal extradited from South Korea who is currently in detention in the United States.
Peskov was asked if the coincidence of these visits indicated a possible exchange.
“There are certain contacts on this matter but we do not want them made public at all. They should take place and continue in total silence,” Peskov said.
He did not give further details but said that “the right to consular contact should be respected by both sides”.
Gershkovich was arrested on March 29 during a reporting trip in the Urals.
The reporter, who previously worked for AFP, was the first Western journalist arrested and accused of espionage by Moscow since the Soviet era, amid a sharp deterioration of relations over the conflict in Ukraine.
The United States, The Wall Street Journal and Gershkovich deny he was working as a spy.
In December, Russia freed basketball star Brittney Griner, who was arrested over traces of cannabis, in return for the release of Viktor Bout, imprisoned in the United States over weapons smuggling.
