MOSCOW. May 12 (Interfax) - Moscow has no intention to comment on a possible exchange of U.S. citizen Paul Whelan, who is serving time in Russia, and U.S. citizen Evan Gershkovich under investigation in Russia, for Russian citizens imprisoned abroad, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
"We will never comment on this matter," Peskov said at a press briefing on Friday in response to a request for comment on such media reports.
CNN said on Thursday with reference to its sources that the United States was exploring several options for the release of Whelan and Gershkovich, including a minor easing of sanctions.
"The U.S. does not currently have any high-level Russian spies in its custody, current and former U.S. officials say, driving the need to turn to allies for help," CNN said.
The sources told CNN that U.S. officials had contacted the allies, in particular, for suggestions of what could encourage Moscow to free the American prisoners.
They also said that the United States had appealed to countries, which lately detained suspected Russian spies, including Brazil, Norway and Germany, as well as former Soviet countries.
"The White House is also exploring narrow sanctions relief, senior administration officials said," CNN reported