WASHINGTON, March 30. /TASS/. The US is currently focused on getting consular access to Wall Street Journal’s American reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been arrested in Russia on suspicion of espionage, and on obtaining more details about his case, Vedant Patel, a principal deputy spokesperson at the US Department of State, said at a regular news conference on Thursday.

He was responding to a question if the sanctions could be softened in exchange for Gershkovich’s potential release and what moves Washington could make about the matter.

"We are working around the clock to seek consular access," he said. "Our intent is to get as much information as we can (on the Gershkovich case - TASS)

When asked whether Gershkovich could be potentially exchanged for any Russians in US custody, Patel said "it is not helpful for anybody to get into hypotheticals.".