WASHINGTON, December 6. /TASS/. The United States has submitted to Russia a new proposal related to the release of two US citizens, Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, but it was rejected, US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

"In recent weeks, we made a new and significant proposal to secure Paul and Evan’s release. That proposal was rejected by Russia," he said.

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was detained in the Russian Urals city of Yekaterinburg in March on espionage charges. According to the Federal Security Service (FSB), he acted at the behest of the United States, collecting information constituting a state secret about the activities of Russian defense companies. Criminal charges were filed against him under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code ("Espionage"). If found guilty, he may face up to 20 years in prison. Gershkovich pleaded not guilty.

Paul Whelan, who holds US, British, Canadian and Irish passports, was detained by the FSB at a Moscow hotel on December 28, 2018, while on a spy mission. A criminal case was opened against him under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code. The Moscow City Court eventually sentenced Whelan to 16 years in a high-security penal colony.