Deal Can Be Reached To Free US Reporter – Putin

President Vladimir Putin says he believes a deal can be reached to free Evan Gershkovich, a US reporter detained last year in Russia.

Speaking with US host Tucker Carlson, Putin said talks were ongoing with the US about the journalist, who is being held on espionage charges.

In the interview, Putin held forth on Ukraine, US Presidents and the CIA.

It’s the first time the Russian leader has sat down with a Western journalist since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Putin said he believed a deal could be struck to release Gershkovich, 32, “if our partners take reciprocal steps”.

“The special services are in contact with one another. They are talking… I believe an agreement can be reached.”

Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, was arrested in the city of Yekaterinburg, about 1,600km (1,000 miles) east of Moscow, on 29 March last year.

In January, Russia again extended his pre-trial detention until the end of March. He faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.

BBC