In an interview released on Thursday, Tucker Carlson made a direct plea to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, urging him to release Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist for The Wall Street Journal, who has been held in a notorious Moscow prison for nearly a year. This appeal from Carlson marked only the second instance where Putin directly addressed the case, which has garnered international attention and strained diplomatic relations between the United States and Russia.
While a significant portion of the two-hour interview delved into Russian history spanning centuries, Carlson seized the opportunity in the final moments to advocate for Gershkovich’s release. Describing Gershkovich as “obviously not a spy” but rather a young journalist caught in legal complexities, Carlson asked Putin, “as a sign of your decency,” if he would consider releasing him to the United States. Putin’s response, however, remained noncommittal, citing previous gestures of goodwill that have depleted Russia’s reserves of such acts.
Pressed further by Carlson, Putin hinted at a potential exchange, suggesting he might be open to releasing Gershkovich in return for concessions from American officials. Specifically, Putin referenced Vadim Krasikov, a Russian citizen imprisoned in Germany for a murder conviction, as a possible bargaining chip.
Gershkovich’s arrest in March on espionage charges marked a significant event, as he became the first American journalist accused of spying in Russia since the Cold War’s conclusion. Despite vehement denials from both The Wall Street Journal and U.S. authorities regarding the espionage allegations, Gershkovich has remained detained at Moscow’s notorious Lefortovo Prison pending trial.
The involvement of The Wall Street Journal’s parent company, linked to Rupert Murdoch, who also controls Fox News, adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Following the broadcast of Putin’s interview, the newspaper expressed optimism regarding Russia’s expressed interest in a potential resolution leading to Gershkovich’s release.
Despite occasional inquiries from journalists and international pressure, Russian officials have remained ambiguous about Gershkovich’s fate. Putin’s vague responses during both the Carlson interview and previous interactions suggest that any resolution may hinge on negotiations between the two nations, leaving Gershkovich’s future uncertain.