President Joe Biden called for the release of arrested Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich on Friday — his first public comments on the matter since Gershkovich was accused of espionage by Russian authorities Thursday. Vice President Kamala Harris added to the conversation, saying Friday she is “deeply concerned” about Gershkovich.
The Biden Administration’s calls are among others urging Russia to also free him. The leaders of more than 30 news organizations around the world signed a letter Thursday to the Russian ambassador to the US demanding Gershkovich’s release.
If you’re just now catching up, here’s what you should know:
Belarus and nuclear weapons: Senior Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak rejected Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s calls for an immediate ceasefire while Russian forces continue to occupy Ukrainian territory. On Friday, Lukashenko accused the West of “preparing to invade” Belarus from Poland, and welcomed Moscow’s move to station Russian tactical nuclear warheads in Belarus, saying the weapons are needed to safeguard the country. Lukashenko said he has intensified talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin about deploying both tactical and strategic – more powerful – nuclear weapons to deal with threats from Ukraine’s western allies who he claims are planning a coup against him.
Russia’s new foreign policy doctrine: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday listed the United States as the main security threat to Russia and “the just development of mankind” in a decree on a new version of the Russian Foreign Policy Concept.
Aid to Ukraine: The International Monetary Fund board has approved a new 48-month extended arrangement of about $15.6 billion for Ukraine, the fund said in a statement Friday. The loan is part of a support package for Ukraine that totals $115 billion and allows for the immediate disbursement of around $2.7 billion. And while the US is not providing Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles, it instead is looking at other options to give the Ukrainian military a longer reach on the battlefield, according to Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley.