Skip to content
Edit post

White House: Release of detained US reporter is a priority for Biden

by The Kyiv Independent news desk April 5, 2023 8:53 AM 1 min read
This audio is created with AI assistance

The release of the detained reporter Evan Gershkovich is a “priority” and “urgency” for U.S. President Joe Biden, according to the White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

“These charges are ridiculous. Evan is not a spy. Evan has never been a spy. Evan has never worked for the U.S. government,” Jean-Pierre said in a press conference on April 4. “This is a case that is a priority for this president.”

The Wall Street Journal reporter was detained on March 30 by Russia's Federal Security Service on espionage charges, which could result in 12 to 20 years of prison sentence.

On April 2, the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for the “immediate release” of the reporter in a call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The call meant to convey the grave concern of the American side over the detention.

Since then, Gershkovich met with his lawyers, who reported that he was in good health and expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Ukraine war latest: Kyiv receives $2.6 billion in military aid; Russia creates defense lines in occupied Crimea
* US to provide Ukraine with additional $2.6 billion in military aid * UK Defense Ministry: Russia likely to ‘eventually’ replace Wagner with other mercenaries in Ukraine * Shoigu claims Russia placed aircraft, missile systems in Belarus capable of delivering nuclear strikes * Khmelnytskyi City C…

News Feed

7:15 PM

Ukraine's artillery braces for shell shortage as US halts aid.

The Kyiv Independent's Francis Farrell and Olena Zashko spent a day with an artillery crew from the 28th Mechanized Brigade in the front-line city of Kostiantynivka. Following the recent decision by the Pentagon to halt shipments of certain weapons to Ukraine, a looming shell shortage is once again on the horizon for Ukrainian forces.
9:17 AM  (Updated: )

'There is also good news' — Ukrainian drones hit key military optics plant in Russia, General Staff confirms.

Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's counter-disinformation center, said a drone hit the Azov Optical and Mechanical Plant in the town of Azov, Rostov Oblast. The facility reportedly manufactures critical components for the Russian military, including sights, rangefinders, thermal imaging systems, and fire control equipment for tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, ships, and aircraft.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.