CIA's Ratcliffe Met Russian Spies in Moscow
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- CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow on Tuesday (Aug 25) and met with Russian intelligence officials, but did not meet President Vladimir Putin, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Wednesday (Aug 26).
- Peskov said Putin was briefed on the outcome of the visit but declined to disclose what was discussed, telling reporters only that "contacts via the security services" had taken place.
- Trump described the trip as "semi-routine" in a radio interview with the Glenn Beck Program, adding that "something may come out of it" as the US works to end the war in Ukraine.
- When asked whether Ratcliffe went to discuss Russian action to test NATO or Iran sanctions, Trump replied: "None of the above."
- The last known CIA director visit to Moscow was by William Burns in November 2021, three months before the war in Ukraine began.
- Peskov said intelligence contacts between the two countries continue "even during the most difficult periods" but it was "too early to say" whether the visit would help resolve the "profound crisis" in bilateral relations.
Why it matters: The meeting marks a rare direct channel between US and Russian intelligence services while the Ukraine war continues. Trump framed the trip as 'semi-routine,' yet the Kremlin refused to disclose the agenda, signaling both sides see value in back-channel contacts without committing to a diplomatic breakthrough.
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