Russia Calls Prisoner Swap Talks Delicate, Accuses US of Leaks

MOSCOW—A top Russian diplomat said Moscow and Washington were still engaged in sensitive negotiations over a prisoner exchange, but accused the U.S. side of leaking details to the media. The United States said on Dec. 5 that Russia had rejected a “new and significant” proposal for the release of Paul Whelan, a former U.S. marine serving a 16-year sentence in Russia for spying, and U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich, awaiting trial in Moscow on espionage charges. Both men deny they are spies and the U.S. has designated them as “wrongfully detained” by Russia. Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Interfax news agency in an interview published on Friday: “The issue of exchanges of citizens serving prison terms in Russia and the United States is extremely delicate. Decisions in this area are often hampered by being actively discussed in public.”...