The Politics of a Prisoner Exchange

Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist for The Wall Street Journal, was detained in Russia more than a year ago. He has been locked up in a high-security prison and accused of spying for the U.S. government.

His trial, held in secret, is now underway.

Anton Troianovski, the Moscow bureau chief for The New York Times, discusses the complicated geopolitics behind Mr. Gershkovich’s detention and the efforts to get him home.

Guest: Anton Troianovski, the Moscow bureau chief for The New York Times.

Background reading: 

• Russia opened its secret trial of Mr. Gershkovich, who is accused of espionage.
• A United Nations panel said he was being punished for his reporting on the war in Ukraine.

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