US President Joe Biden's administration is still working to secure a meeting with detained American journalist Evan Gershkovich, who is being held in Russia's Lefortovo prison in Moscow, Report informs referring to CNN.
US officials have described Russia's espionage allegations against the journalist as "ridiculous" and "absolutely ludicrous."
"We have not been able to achieve consular access and nobody from our embassy has been able to meet with him," John Kirby, a spokesperson for the US National Security Council, told CNN's Bianna Golodryga on March 31. "We are continuing to work on that, of course, and will until we can get that consular access to ascertain for ourselves how he's doing."
The US has previously warned US citizens against traveling to Russia. Kirby emphasized that those recommendations apply even to journalists working in the country.
"This is not the time for Americans to be in Russia. If you're in Russia now - whether it's on business or leisure, whatever kind of travel - you need to leave now," Kirby said. "This is not a good place for you to be in Russia, even if you are a working journalist. Russia is a hostile environment for American citizens right now. And it's time to go if you're there."