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FBI agent Robert Hanssen could face the death penalty if convicted of spying for Russia.

By Kelli Arena
CNN Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Talks on a plea agreement have resumed between the government and lawyers for accused spy Robert Hanssen, sources close to the case told CNN Wednesday, but they said the discussions were not described as fruitful.

Hanssen, a 25-year veteran FBI agent, faces a possible death sentence or life in prison for allegedly spying for the former Soviet Union and then Russia. Plea talks broke down weeks ago when, according to defense attorneys, the government refused to take the death penalty off the table.

Hanssen was indicted last Thursday on 21-counts, 14 of which are "capital eligible," meaning they could incur the death penalty if he's convicted.

Meanwhile, sources told CNN Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is pushing hard for the death penalty for Hanssen. Sources said this is in direct opposition to urgings from CIA Director George Tenet, as well as senior FBI officials, who want to keep Hanssen alive for possible future questioning.

MESSAGE BOARD Security threats

The indictment accuses Hanssen of taking $1.4 million in cash and diamonds as payment for passing U.S. secrets to Moscow. It alleges Hanssen compromised national security secrets, including the identities of U.S. spies, highly classified eavesdropping technology and nuclear war plans.

The FBI counterintelligence expert was arrested in February. He was seized near a Virginia park just minutes after he allegedly left a package under a wooden footbridge. Investigators say the bridge was a "dead drop" site for delivering secret documents to his Russian handlers.