Russian and U.S. officers have mentioned a possible prisoner swap that would embrace detained Wall Avenue Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, although they “don’t need them to be mentioned in public.” Peskov informed reporters on a name Tuesday that talks “should be carried out and proceed in full silence.”
Russian officers have beforehand indicated their willingness to debate swapping U.S.-held prisoners for Gershkovich. Deputy International Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated in April that such conversations may happen solely after Gershkovich’s espionage trial ends. The Journal, Gershkovich and U.S. officers have denied the spying expenses and demanded the reporter’s launch.
Right here’s the most recent on the battle and its ripple results throughout the globe.
As battle nears Crimea, Russian occupiers are attempting to lure vacationers: Tourism-dependent Crimea is looking forward to a grim summer season vacation season because the battle grinds on, Francesca Ebel and Natalia Abbakumova report. Many guests, involved by latest assaults, are canceling their summer season bookings to the Black Sea peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Crimea accounted for just one p.c of Russian resort bookings this yr, in line with the net reserving portal Ostrovok.ru, down from 3 p.c final yr and 19 p.c from the yr earlier than.
“There are certainly fewer individuals in Crimea than traditional,” stated Nikita Krimskiy, a tour information in Yalta. “Many individuals had been intimidated by army information and varied ‘fakes.’ They’ve modified their plans and determined to not go to Crimea this season.” Some all-inclusive motels have lowered their costs by as a lot as 60 p.c. Others have merely determined to not open this summer season. Sixty p.c of Crimean tourism companies misplaced cash final yr, official knowledge exhibits, with mixed losses of $10 million as vacationer income dropped by a couple of third.
Emily Rauhala contributed to this report.