Russia Rejects US Proposal for Release of Detained Journalist and Former Marine

Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan Remain in Detention Amid Espionage Charges

US officials have revealed that Russia rejected a 'substantial' proposal for the release of detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan.
Gershkovich and Whelan have been charged with espionage by Russian officials, allegations they and the US government deny.
Gershkovich has been detained for over 250 days, while Whelan was arrested in 2018 and sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2020.
Russia has previously suggested it is open to a prisoner swap for Gershkovich, but only after a verdict is delivered in his case.
The US government has declared both Whelan and Gershkovich to be 'wrongfully detained'.