The United States is obstructing the process of a prisoner swap by making disproportionate demands

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has expressed difficulties in negotiating a prisoner exchange with the United States, citing excessive media attention and what he perceives as an imbalance in the U.S. approach. According to Ryabkov, the U.S. seems to want more in return while offering less in the exchange.

The State Department previously indicated that Russia had turned down several proposals to release Paul Whelan, an American convicted on espionage charges, and Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter detained in March, also on espionage allegations.

Both Whelan and Gershkovich’s cases have been prominently covered in the media, with the U.S. declaring their detention unjust. Ryabkov criticized the American media for excessively focusing on these cases, influenced by the current U.S. administration. He remarked that such extensive public discussion complicates the process, which ideally should be confidential.

Ryabkov also pointed out that while American negotiators stress the importance of confidentiality in these discussions, there have been leaks and public discussions of sensitive details from the White House.

Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged last week that discussions about Whelan and Gershkovich were ongoing with the U.S., expressing hope for a resolution.

Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan, has been imprisoned in Russia since December 2018, following his arrest on charges of espionage, which he and the U.S. government have contested. He received a 16-year prison sentence.

Gershkovich was arrested in Yekaterinburg, Russia, while on a journalistic assignment. The city is located roughly 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) east of Moscow. He faces charges of espionage.