CIA Chief Ratcliffe Makes First US Spy Chief Visit to Moscow Since 2021
On Tuesday, CIA Director John Ratcliffe made an unannounced trip to Moscow for discussions with Russian officials, the first visit by a US intelligence chief to the city since November 2021, when his predecessor William Burns met with President Vladimir Putin. CBS News and Axios reported the visit, referencing unnamed sources, amidst ongoing tensions stemming from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which occurred roughly three months after Burns's meeting. The specific individuals Ratcliffe was set to meet and the agenda were not revealed. The CIA chose not to comment, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not confirm or deny the visit, stating that Putin had no meetings planned with Ratcliffe. This visit follows a US request for Ukraine to avoid air strikes in specific Russian areas during the week.
Key facts
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow on Tuesday for meetings with Russian officials.
- This is the first known visit by a US spy chief to Moscow since November 2021.
- Ratcliffe's predecessor, William Burns, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in November 2021.
- The invasion of Ukraine began about three months after Burns's meeting.
- CBS News and Axios reported the visit, citing unnamed sources.
- The CIA declined to comment on the visit.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov neither confirmed nor denied the report, saying Putin had no plans to meet Ratcliffe.
- The US asked Ukraine to avoid air strikes around Moscow, St Petersburg, and northern Russian territories this week because a plane carrying a senior US official would be flying to Moscow.
Entities
Institutions
- CIA
- CBS News
- Axios
- Reuters
- Kremlin
- SVR
Locations
- Moscow
- Russia
- St Petersburg
- Ukraine
- Washington, D.C.
- United States
- Vnukovo Airport