President Biden on Thursday said the U.S. is interested in pursuing a prisoner swap for Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been imprisoned in Russia for more than 100 days. “I’m serious about a prisoner exchange,” Biden told reporters in Helsinki during a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö. A Wall Street Journal reporter asked Biden the question, probing whether the president is serious about a prisoner swap and requesting an update about securing Gershkovich’s release. The White House last week confirmed discussions were underway for a potential prisoner swap involving Gershkovich. WNBA star Brittney Griner was released by Russia in a prisoner swap in December, with the U.S. releasing Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Source: Wall Street Journal July 13, 2023 15:51 UTC