Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who was detained and accused of espionage, stands inside a defendants' cage during a court hearing to consider an appeal to extend his detention in Moscow, Russia June 20, 2019. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo
MOSCOW (Reuters) - A top Russian diplomat said Moscow and Washington were still engaged in sensitive negotiations over a prisoner exchange, but accused the U.S. side of leaking details to the media.
The United States said on Dec. 5 that Russia had rejected a "new and significant" proposal for the release of Paul Whelan, a former U.S. marine serving a 16-year sentence in Russia for spying, and U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich, awaiting trial in Moscow on espionage charges. Both men deny they are spies and the U.S. has designated them as "wrongfully detained" by Russia.
