Russia Rejects US Proposal for Release of 2 ‘Wrongfully Detained’ Americans

The State Department is seeking the release of Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, who have been detained in Russia on espionage charges.

Left: Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich in an undated photo. (The Wall Street Journal via AP). Right: Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine, stands behind bars as he waits for a hearing in a courtroom in Moscow on Aug. 23, 2019. Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP Photo

The United States said on Dec. 5 that a “significant proposal” to secure the release of two “wrongfully detained” Americans, Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, has been rejected by Russia.

Mr. Gershkovich is a Wall Street Journal reporter, and Mr. Whelan is a former U.S. Marine who worked as a corporate security executive in Michigan. Both were detained in Russia on espionage charges.