Former Ukraine ambassador says US must do more to acknowledge Russia as an adversary

Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst said on the one-year anniversary of the detention of journalist Evan Gershkovitch, the Biden administration needs to do more to recognize Russia as an enemy.

herbst Joined NewsNation FridaySo he argued that the United States should show Russia that it is not gaining an advantage by detaining prominent Americans.

“We have to make it clear to them that this is not the case, and that starts with the United States recognizing that Russia is our enemy.” “They call us the main adversary, but our policies do not broadly reflect that.”

He argued that the United States needs to take the time to develop policies that make it less likely that the Kremlin and Russian President Vladimir Putin will engage in “such bargaining in the future.”

Mr. Gershkovitch, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, has been detained in Russia for a year on suspicion of espionage. Herbst called it a “huge miscarriage of justice” and a “tragedy.”

But he acknowledged that “there is not much that can currently be done” in the short term to change the situation surrounding arrests. Russian officials said Thursday they would “quietly” consider any prisoner exchange.

President Biden has long called for Gershkovic’s release. He issued a statement on Friday vowing again to do everything possible to bring journalists home, saying “journalism is not a crime” and “never giving up hope.”

In a rare joint statement, parliamentary leaders also criticized the Russian government for jailing journalists. The anniversary of Gershkovych’s detention comes days after a Moscow court extended his pre-trial detention until June 30.

Still, Herbst argued that not enough is being done, saying there is a “political need for the White House to act” when Americans are captured overseas.

“Unless we clearly recognize that Putin’s Russia is America’s enemy, we are likely to continue playing this game,” he said.

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