WASHINGTON, December 15. /TASS/. Moscow and Washington continue to actively discuss questions related to the exchange of persons in custody and the return of US citizens Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby told reporters.

Commenting on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s remarks, he said: "He [Putin] is right that we continue to talk to Moscow about getting Evan and Paul home where they belong and that those discussions are ongoing, and they're ongoing actively."

Kirby added that he would not provide any further details. He also claimed that the Russian president is "absolutely wrong, that his government did not rebuff a serious proposal."

There was one put forward and they rebuffed it," the US official added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday Moscow remained in touch with Washington regarding the potential exchange of persons in custody. He expressed hope that a compromise solution suitable for both sides will eventually be found.

"It’s not that we refused to return them. <…> We want to come to an agreement, and this agreement should be acceptable for both sides," he said. "We are maintaining contacts with our American partners in that regard. And the dialogue on the subject is under way."

Cases of Gershkovich and Whelan

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was detained in the Russian Urals city of Yekaterinburg in late March. 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. However, 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.