Putin personally authorized the arrest of American journalist Evan Gershkovich, the report said.

Moscow has accused American journalist Evan Gershkovich of espionage. Photo: AFP

The arrest of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich for espionage was personally approved by Vladimir Putin, according to reports in the US.

Referring to «people familiar with the situation,» Bloomberg reported that the decision had been handed over President of Russia.

Mr. Gershkovich was the first American reporter to be arrested on charges of espionage since the Cold War. The Wall Street Journal denied allegations of espionage.

Mr. Putin's approval of his arrest will serve to heighten tensions between Washington and Moscow as relations have been at their lowest point for years over Joe Biden's support for Ukraine.

Mr. Gershkovich was arrested last month and is being held in the notorious Lefortovo Prison in Moscow, where he is held in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day.

His arrest was condemned by Mr. Biden, who demanded his release, and media organizations around the world signed a petition saying «Journalism is not a crime.» Gershkovich, detained on suspicion of espionage, leaves a Moscow courthouse Photo: Reuters

“They want to embarrass the United States by saying they caught a spy,” Katherine Stoner, professor of politics at Stanford University and author of the book, told The Telegraph “The Resurrection of Russia.”

“Russia has received weapons. Dealer Viktor Bout is back in exchange for Britney Griner, and they may be hoping to get someone else big in exchange for Gershokich.

“In some ways, this is a very valuable target. The WSJ is a well-known and prestigious newspaper, I suspect they didn't bring in someone from a smaller publication for some reason. stop arms supplies to Ukraine from the US and other countries such as the UK.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied that the arrest was Putin’s decision, saying that the Russian security services were just doing their job.

However, he added that the agencies report to President Putin.

The US State Department said Mr. Gershkovich was «wrongfully detained» and is negotiating his release.