Russia hints at "contacts in progress" with U.S. on potential prisoner swap

Washington — Russian President Vladimir Putin's top spokesman said Tuesday that there has been contact between the U.S. and Russia about a possible prisoner swap that could involve Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. 

The U.S. is seeking the release of the American journalist and Paul Whelan, both of whom are considered "wrongfully detained." They have vehemently denied the espionage charges against them. 

"We have already stated that there are certain contacts in progress regarding this issue, but we do not want to make them public. They must be followed and maintained in complete silence," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a press briefing, according to Russian state media outlet TASS.