The Blubber

An American reporter for the Wall Street Journal has been detained by Russian authorities and accused of spying. This development signals a significant escalation in tensions between Moscow and the United States, as well as Russia's crackdown on foreign news media. Evan Gershkovich, the Moscow-based correspondent, has been accused of attempting to obtain state secrets by Russia's main security service, the FSB. However, the Wall Street Journal has denied these allegations in a statement, demanding Gershkovich's immediate release.

The chief executive of Dow Jones, Almar Latour, has condemned Gershkovich's arrest in a memo to staff. He added that the company is working around the clock to secure his release. "This is an incredibly disturbing development," Latour said. A Moscow district court has ordered that Gershkovich be detained until May 29.

This is the first time since the Cold War that an American journalist has been detained on spying charges by Moscow. The incident comes a week after US authorities arrested Sergey Vladimirovich Cherkasov, a Russian accused of being a spy. The Kremlin has not commented on whether Gershkovich's detention was in retaliation for Cherkasov's arrest.

When asked about the situation, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said he had nothing to say on the topic. National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, John Kirby, declined to comment on reports that Gershkovich's detention might be a retaliatory move. He stated that officials were still gathering information on the matter.

Kirby acknowledged the risks that journalists face in Moscow. He stated that while the administration respects that reporters in Russia face risks, "it doesn’t change our deep concern about Americans being in Russia." Kirby cautioned Americans against traveling to Russia due to these risks.

Here is the full statement from the Whitehouse:

We are deeply concerned by the troubling reports that Evan Gershkovich, an American citizen, has been detained in Russia.

Last night, White House and State Department Officials spoke with Mr. Gershkovich’s employer, the Wall Street Journal. The Administration has also been in contact with his family. Furthermore, the State Department has been in direct touch with the Russian government on this matter, including actively working to secure consular access to Mr. Gershkovich.

The targeting of American citizens by the Russian government is unacceptable. We condemn the detention of Mr. Gershkovich in the strongest terms.

We also condemn the Russian government’s continued targeting and repression of journalists and freedom of the press.

I want to strongly reiterate that Americans should heed the U.S. government’s warning to not travel to Russia. U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Russia should depart immediately, as the State Department continues to advise.