Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Trump and Kremlin Downplay Fears of Russian NATO Attack
Donald Trump said he does not think Russia will attack a NATO country.
The Kremlin also said reports of a possible attack were not connected to reality.
Trump described CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s meeting in Moscow as a regular meeting.
Russia’s intelligence chief, Sergei Naryshkin, also said the meeting was not unusual.
However, European and US officials remain worried about alleged Russian cyberattacks, sabotage, disinformation and drone activity.
These actions are called hybrid attacks because they happen below the level of a traditional war.
The war in Ukraine is still continuing, and peace efforts have stalled.
Russia wants Ukraine to leave parts of the eastern Donbas region, while Ukraine has carried out drone strikes inside Russia.
Donald Trump said Vladimir Putin will not attack NATO territory after what Trump described as good talks with the Russian president.
Trump called CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s Moscow meeting with Sergei Naryshkin routine and denied it carried a specific warning.
The Kremlin called reports of a possible Russian attack on a NATO country “scare stories” disconnected from reality.
European and US intelligence agencies continue monitoring alleged Russian cyberattacks, sabotage, disinformation and drone operations.
Efforts to end the Ukraine war remain stalled as Russia demands Ukrainian withdrawal from parts of the eastern Donbas region.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Sergei Naryshkin, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, and European and US intelligence agencies.
- What
- Trump and the Kremlin rejected or downplayed reports that Russia might attack a NATO member, while concerns about alleged Russian hybrid operations continue.
- When
- Trump made the comments on Thursday, August 27; Ratcliffe met Naryshkin in Moscow on Tuesday.
- Where
- Trump spoke in the Oval Office; Ratcliffe’s meeting took place in Moscow, amid wider security concerns across Europe.
- Why
- The reassurances followed reports of a possible Russian attack on NATO countries and growing concern over alleged Russian hybrid operations linked to the Ukraine war.
Reassurances and Denials
European Security Concerns
Possible NATO attack
Reassurances and Denials
Trump said Putin will not attack NATO territory, while the Kremlin dismissed reports of a potential strike as “scare stories.”
European Security Concerns
European and US intelligence agencies remain concerned about alleged Russian hybrid operations against countries supporting Ukraine and the possibility of pressure on NATO members.
Purpose of Ratcliffe’s Moscow visit
Reassurances and Denials
Trump, Naryshkin and the Kremlin described the meeting as routine or not unusual, with Trump denying that Ratcliffe delivered a specific warning.
European Security Concerns
The Wall Street Journal reported that the trip’s purpose was to warn Russia not to attack NATO countries, citing unnamed people briefed on the visit.
Russia’s conduct toward Europe
Reassurances and Denials
The Kremlin said Russia would prefer to achieve its objectives in Ukraine peacefully if possible and accused European supporters of Ukraine of pursuing an aggressive policy.
European Security Concerns
European countries have reported or alleged Russian-linked activity, including an attempted assassination plot in Poland and a fire at an Estonian drone-manufacturing facility.
- Trump’s assessment
- Trump said he does not believe Putin will attack NATO territory.
- Ratcliffe’s meeting
- John Ratcliffe met Russian intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin in Moscow on Tuesday.
- Trump’s description
- Trump called the meeting “semi-routine” and said it involved no specific message or warning.
- Kremlin response
- Dmitry Peskov called reports of a potential NATO attack “scare stories” with no connection to reality.
- Monitored activities
- European and US intelligence agencies are monitoring alleged cyberattacks, sabotage, disinformation campaigns and drone operations.
- Ukraine war
- US-backed efforts to end the war have stalled, while Russia continues its military campaign.
- Russian demand
- Russia is demanding that Ukraine withdraw from parts of the eastern Donbas region.
