Biden: "I am serious about prisoner exchange" for Evan Gershkovich

State of play: "I’m serious about prisoner exchange. I’m serious about doing all we can to free Americans being illegally held in Russia or anywhere else for that matter," Biden said at a joint press briefing with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, in response to a question about Gershkovich.

• "That process is underway," he added.
• The Kremlin signaled earlier this month that it might be open to a prisoner exchange for Gershkovich, but that talks would need to be conducted in secrecy.
• National security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed last Friday that there had been a discussion between the U.S. and Russia on the matter but noted that the talks have "not produced a clear pathway to a resolution."

The big picture: Gershkovich was arrested on espionage charges in late March — the first time Russia detained a U.S. journalist on spying charges since the Cold War.

• The U.S. formally determined that Gershkovich was being "wrongfully detained" in April.
• Gershkovich has been held at Moscow's Lefortovo prison. In May, his detention was extended to at least Aug. 30.