At a meeting with senior international news agency editors, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov quoted President Vladimir Putin’s remarks earlier this month. Putin has said that Russia and the United States have been in contact on the issue.

“I want to remind you again of the president’s conversation with the heads of information agencies in St. Petersburg. He confirmed that there are such contacts,” Peskov said.

“They go on but should continue to be conducted in complete silence… Therefore, no announcements, statements, or information on this matter can be provided.”

When asked why the espionage trial of Gershkovich was to be held behind closed doors, Peskov said that he was unable to comment on such matters as it was a decision made by the court.

“This is a court decision. We cannot comment on it,” Peskov said.

On March 29, 2023, the Federal Security Service (FSB) detained Gershkovich, 32, in a steak house in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, 1,780 kilometers (1,100 miles) east of Moscow, on espionage charges that carry up to 20 years in prison.

As the first American journalist detained on spy charges in Russia since the Cold War more than three decades ago, Gershkovich has repeatedly denied the charges.