Trump says Putin will free jailed U.S. reporter Gershkovich for him

trump says putin will free jailed u.s. reporter gershkovich for him

FILE PHOTO: Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is in custody on espionage charges, stands behind a glass wall of an enclosure for defendants as he attends a court hearing in Moscow, Russia, April 23, 2024. REUTERS/Tatyana Makeyeva/File Photo

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Donald Trump has posted on social media that he will use his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin to get Wall Street reporter Evan Gershkovich freed from a Russian prison.

Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that this would happen soon after the November election in the United States, when he is seeking to defeat President Joe Biden and return to the White House.

"Evan Gershkovich, the Reporter from The Wall Street Journal, who is being held by Russia, will be released almost immediately after the Election, but definitely before I assume Office. He will be HOME, SAFE, AND WITH HIS FAMILY," Trump said.

"Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, will do that for me, but not for anyone else, and WE WILL BE PAYING NOTHING!"

Trump did not refer to any contacts with Putin or say what grounds he had to believe that the Russian leader would release Gershkovich.

A campaign spokesman did not immediately return a request for comment on whether the former Republican president or his advisers have been in touch with any Russian officials.

Asked about the comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin has "naturally not had contacts with Donald Trump".

Gershkovich was arrested in Russia in March last year on spying charges that he, his paper and the Biden administration have all strongly denied. He has spent well over a year in a Moscow prison, with no date set for a trial.

Putin said in February it might be possible to free him in exchange for a Russian imprisoned in Germany for murder.

Peskov reiterated previous Kremlin statements that contacts with Washington regarding any exchange of prisoners must be conducted "in complete silence and absolutely discreetly. This is the only way they can be effective".

During his 2017-2021 presidency, Trump expressed admiration for Putin. In 2018, he refused to blame the Russian leader for meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, casting doubt on the findings of his own intelligence agencies and sparking criticism at home.

Trump has also claimed he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of returning to the White House, though he has not said how he would do this.

(Reporting by Reuters, Doina Chiacu in Washington; writing by Mark Trevelyan and Alexander MarrowEditing by Gareth Jones)

OTHER NEWS

13 minutes ago

Perth traffic: Peak-hour gridlock after crash on Kwinana Freeway northbound at Leach Highway, Bateman

13 minutes ago

More areas seeking 'cool' post-pandemic nightlife boost

13 minutes ago

This Low-cost Airline Is Adding 3 New Routes to Florida — and Is Celebrating with Major Discounts

13 minutes ago

Dreaming of moving to Italy? Tuscany will pay you up to $32,000 to buy a home in a village

13 minutes ago

Banks one of three Britons to progress in qualifying

13 minutes ago

UK heatwave: Full list of areas where it will be 30C and hotter than Ibiza

13 minutes ago

Six million antelope make up world’s largest land mammal migration, but poaching on rise

13 minutes ago

EU Council approves draft security agreement with Ukraine

13 minutes ago

WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange arrives at court before guilty plea in deal with US securing his freedom

13 minutes ago

The yuan's status as a global currency might be gaining ground. But top CEOs see more hurdles to clear

19 minutes ago

Video: Roy Keane names the one England player with 'X-factor' after drab draw with Slovenia... as he admits he's 'always excited to watch' the 'amazing' Three Lions star

19 minutes ago

Ian Wright offers suggestion for how England can fit Cole Plamer in their side at Euro 2024... as he insists the forward needs to play 'for balance and fluidity' in the Three Lions team

20 minutes ago

Frisky GOP Michigan Rep. Neil Friske claims he was ‘framed’ after arrest for assaulting, chasing stripper with gun

20 minutes ago

16 Nobel Prize-winning economists warn Trump policies will reignite inflation

20 minutes ago

2025 Volkswagen Golf R: This Is It

21 minutes ago

Promising rookie may have to battle for roster spot in 2024

21 minutes ago

Perinatal depression may increase cardiovascular disease risk

21 minutes ago

İbrahim Çelikkol involved in car accident, escapes with minor injuries

21 minutes ago

Jack Grealish posts a video of himself back on the training pitch during England's dire goalless draw with Slovenia - after being axed from Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad

21 minutes ago

Decorated ex-Royal Marine detained by UAE ‘relieved’ to be back in Britain

21 minutes ago

Doctor Who season 2: Release date speculation, cast, and everything we know about Ncuti Gatwa’s next season

21 minutes ago

Stellantis: Vauxhall owner threatens to quit UK over ‘stupid’ EV sales mandate

21 minutes ago

Disability groups urge government to tread carefully with NDIS changes as minister gets in a tangle with the senators over Brazil trip

21 minutes ago

Rams News: Joshua Karty Brings Hope to Kicking Woes

21 minutes ago

Mitchell looks to defend title in Paris as part of Canada's Olympic cycling team

21 minutes ago

Consensus: Chicago Bears are not a playoff team for 2024 season

21 minutes ago

From dessert to donuts, treat yourself at the best places for sweets

21 minutes ago

Philadelphia 76ers Contenders to Sign New Orleans Pelicans Player

21 minutes ago

Brandon Aiyuk Calls Out 49ers Following Report of Declined Trade Offer Involving Him

21 minutes ago

Europe's big five leagues generate 19.6 billion euros in season post-COVID

21 minutes ago

Southgate asks fans to back his players after another poor performance

22 minutes ago

Texas authorities investigating why officer responding to a robbery had a man in his back seat before crash that killed mom and son

22 minutes ago

Houston water bills could be changing in August. Here's why

22 minutes ago

Delaware Senate gives final approval to bill mandating insurance coverage for abortions

22 minutes ago

Euro 2024 day 12: Austria cause a stir and England win group

24 minutes ago

The yuan's status as a global currency might be gaining ground. But top CEOs see more hurdles to clear

24 minutes ago

Chicago activists react after U.S. Surgeon General declares gun violence a public health crisis

25 minutes ago

S&P/TSX composite closes down as telecom and metal stocks fall, U.S. markets mixed

25 minutes ago

Kenya Moore Not Returning To Bravo’s ‘The Real Housewives Of Atlanta’ Following Suspension

25 minutes ago

‘The Who’s Tommy’ Sets Broadway Closing Date