 There were only two hearings on this case held behind closed doors. Gershkevich 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 Gershkevich and other jailed foreigners as bargaining chips for possible prisoner exchanges. Moscow early admitted talks of a possible swap were ongoing but should be held in secret. Gershkevich has become the first American journalist to be arrested on espionage charges in Russia since the Cold War.