A Russian citizen who worked in New York as a banker has pleaded not guilty to U.S. charges accusing him of participating in a Cold War-style Russian spy ring.

Evgeny Buryakov appeared Wednesday in Manhattan federal court.

A two-count indictment returned Monday says he and two others conspired to spy, and acted as spies.

Prosecutors say that from 2012 through January, Buryakov teamed up with low-level diplomats to gather sensitive economic intelligence on potential U.S. sanctions against Russian banks. Prosecutors say they also tried to recruit others.

At the time, Buryakov worked at the Manhattan branch of a Russian bank.

It’s believed the two others who are charged have returned to Russia. They’re protected by immunity because of their diplomatic status.

(AP)