Overview

• Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, has been detained in Russia for nearly a year on espionage charges, which he and the U.S. government deny.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson invites Gershkovich's parents to the State of the Union, aiming to spotlight his unjust detention and advocate for freedom of the press.
• The Biden administration has designated Gershkovich as wrongfully detained, but negotiations for his release have been unsuccessful so far.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin has defended the imprisonment, suggesting willingness to negotiate terms for Gershkovich's release through special services channels.
• The case draws attention to the broader issue of press freedom and the detention of journalists worldwide, with Gershkovich's situation being a focal point at the upcoming State of the Union.