A Russian court has sentenced a United States soldier to prison as Moscow awaits Washington's response to its prisoner exchange proposals.

The Pervomaisky District Court in Vladivostok sentenced US Staff Sergeant Gordon Black to three years and nine months in a penal colony on Wednesday for allegedly stealing $113 from his girlfriend and threatening her life, as reported by the state media outlets TASS and Sputnik.

The sentencing adds to the roster of US citizens imprisoned in Russia amidst the strained relations following the invasion of Ukraine. On the same day, a senior official emphasized that Moscow is still waiting for Washington to respond to its recent prisoner swap propositions.

‘Their problem’

Russia currently holds over a dozen US citizens in detention, including corporate security executive Paul Whelan, musician Travis Leake arrested last year on drug charges, teacher Marc Fogel sentenced to 14 years also on drug charges, and dual national Ksenia Khavana.

On Tuesday, a court dismissed an appeal by another dual national, Alsu Kurmasheva, against extending her pre-trial detention. The Radio Free Europe journalist was detained eight months ago and charged with spreading "false information" about the military.

Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich is scheduled for a closed-door trial on espionage charges, which he denies, on Tuesday.

In February, President Vladimir Putin mentioned ongoing talks regarding a prisoner exchange for the journalist, but the Kremlin has not released any updates on the progress.

"The ball is in the court of the United States, we are waiting for them to respond to the ideas we have proposed," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the state news agency TASS.

"The relevant parts of the US administration are well aware of these ideas. I understand that perhaps something in these suggestions is unsatisfactory to the Americans. That's their problem," he added.

‘Tempestuous affair’

Gordon Black, 34, was arrested last month in the Pacific port city of Vladivostok, where he was visiting his Russian girlfriend, Alexandra Vashuk.

Vashuk accused Black of stealing 10,000 roubles ($113) and threatening her. Black’s family in Texas, including his wife, described the relationship as turbulent.

In a glass cage in the courtroom, Black pleaded "partially guilty" to theft but denied making death threats. His defense attorney plans to appeal the verdict.

Black and Vashuk met in South Korea in October 2022 on the dating app Tinder and later started dating. Vashuk then invited Black to Vladivostok.

Earlier this year, Black was supposed to transfer from the Eighth Army at Camp Humphreys in South Korea to Fort Cavazos in Texas but instead traveled to China and subsequently to Russia to meet Vashuk.

The Pentagon noted that Black violated army regulations by traveling to Russia and China without permission.