 There were only two hearings on this case held behind closed doors. Gershkovich did not plead guilty. The U.S. Embassy in Russia stated Moscow failed to provide any evidence supporting the charges. Washington accused Russia of using Gershkovich and other jailed foreigners as bargaining chips for possible prisoner exchanges. Moscow earlier admitted talks of a possible swap were ongoing but should be held in secret. Gershkovich has become the first American journalist to be arrested on espionage charges in Russia since the Cold War.