Arrests of Americans in Russia have been on the rise, as relations between Moscow and Washington continue to deteriorate. These Americans, including a journalist, a corporate security executive, and a dual national, are all being held on charges of varying severity. While the U.S. accuses Moscow of using its citizens as political bargaining chips, Russian officials maintain that all detained individuals have broken the law. Some Americans have been exchanged for Russians held in the U.S., while for others, the prospects of being released in a swap are less clear.
One American who has been detained is 32-year-old reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is awaiting trial in Moscow on espionage charges. Another is corporate security executive Paul Whelan, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2018 on espionage charges. The U.S. government has declared both Gershkovich and Whelan to be wrongfully detained and has been advocating for their release. Other detained Americans include musician Travis Leake, teacher Marc Fogel, and dual nationals Alsu Kurmasheva and Ksenia Khavana, who face various charges ranging from drug-related offenses to treason.
The U.S. has had some success in negotiating high-profile prisoner swaps with Russia in recent years. Deals in 2022 resulted in the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and Marine veteran Trevor Reed in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout and pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko. It is unclear whether there are negotiations in progress for swapping other Americans held in Russia, such as Leake, Fogel, Kurmasheva, or Khavana. The U.S. government has been urged to use all available means to secure the release of wrongfully detained individuals, including designating them as such.
Efforts to secure the release of Americans detained in Russia have faced challenges. The State Department made an offer to secure the release of Gershkovich and Whelan, which Russia rejected. Russian officials have remained silent about the talks, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasizing the need for negotiations to be carried out in absolute silence. Whether there are Russians held in the West that Moscow might be interested in for swaps is unclear. The fate of those imprisoned in Russia ultimately lies in the hands of President Vladimir Putin.
Historically, prisoner exchanges between nations have been smoother when relationships are better. Prominent Soviet dissidents were released in exchanges during periods of detente, suggesting that improved relations between the U.S. and Russia could facilitate negotiations for the release of Americans detained in Russia. However, the fate of these individuals remains uncertain, as negotiations are ongoing behind closed doors. Nevertheless, the U.S. government continues its efforts to bring Evan and Paul home, recognizing that Russia holds the key to their freedom.
