Putin Claims Willingness to Free Detained American Journalist, but Sincerity Doubted
• Putin made his first public comments on detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, saying he hopes to "find a solution" to free the American.
• Putin said Russia has an ongoing dialogue with the US on freeing Gershkovich and ex-Marine Paul Whelan, who has been detained since 2018.
• A Moscow court rejected Gershkovich's 4th appeal to be released pretrial on espionage charges, which he denies.
• The US made a "substantial offer" to free the two men but says Russia rejected it. The US doubts Putin's statements are sincere.
• A State Department official said the US proposals show its "willingness and determination" to bring Gershkovich and Whelan home.