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WASHINGTON, D.C.: Pledging to bring back home the two Americans detained by Russia, Roger Carstens, a U.S. special presidential envoy, repeated Washington’s call for Moscow to allow a consular visit with detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

The journalist, who has had minimal contact with his lawyers since his detention two weeks ago, has been detained along with ex- US Marine Paul Whelan.

“The president of the United States and the secretary are committed to bringing Evan home, and Paul Whelan as well. And we’re gonna find whatever it takes to get that job done,” Roger Carstens, a U.S. special presidential envoy, said on CNN.

Earlier in Moscow, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Russia was weighing granting access to Gershkovich.

Earlier, the U.S. State Department designated Gershkovich as “wrongfully detained,” a move Ryabkov said would not change Moscow’s approach.

“We will not tolerate any attempts to pressure us,” Russian state-owned news agency TASS quoted Ryabkov as saying.

Russia’s security service has, without providing evidence, accused Gershkovich of gathering information classified as a state secret about a military factory. The Wall Street Journal has denied Russia’s claims.

Asked for comment on the Carsten and Ryabkov remarks Wednesday, representatives of the newspaper directed Reuters to their previous statements on Gershkovich.

The State Department designates some Americans, including Whelan, held abroad as “wrongfully detained,” based on criteria, including whether it has credible information they are innocent, if they are being detained because they are U.S. citizens or to influence U.S. policy or secure concessions.

Washington has been unable to reach a deal to free Whelan, convicted by a Russian court of espionage in 2020.

“We have a significant offer on the table (for Whelan). We urge the Russians to take it,” Carstens told MSNBC.