MOSCOW. Jan 9 (Interfax) - Russian security services engage in counterintelligence but do not use detainees as a bargaining chip, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the press on Wednesday.
"Russia never uses people as pawns in a diplomatic game," he said, commenting on the detention of Paul Whelan, a citizen of several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
"It's true that Russia engages in counterintelligence with respect to those suspected of spying, this is done on an ongoing basis, but Russia never uses anyone as a pawn," Peskov said.