Evan Gershkovich — the first U.S. journalist to be arrested in Russia on charges of spying since the end of the Cold War — was one of the sixteen prisoners released in the momentous spy swap on August 1st of this year. It seems that, as he was being released, Gershkovich — in what must have been a brilliant display of courage, wit and irony — asked Vladimir Putin to grant him an interview. [Dmitry Antonov, Lucy Papachristou, Reuters, September 9, 2024.]

To my knowledge, that comment was not widely reported at the time — or, at least, I never saw it amidst all the coverage of the event. But for some reason, Kremlin spokesman (and my all-around favorite Russian government official) Dmitry Peskov was asked today whether there was a response to Gershkovich’s request. And in his usual straightforward manner, this was Peskov’s reply:

“So far, we are not interested in such an interview. In order for there to be an interview with foreign media, and a specific one at that, we need to have an occasion. So far we don’t see such an occasion.” [Id.]

I have one question for you, Dima: What was the “occasion” for the specific interview granted Tucker Carlson in February? Was it because you were able to find the one Western “journalist” who wouldn’t ask the tough questions, but would agree to a scripted, almost completely one-way conversation with the boss?

You know that Evan Gershkovich would never play that game. And that strikes fear in Vladimir Putin’s cold, black heart.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
9/9/24