1 week ago
CIA Chief Reportedly Visits Moscow Amid Calls To Halt Strikes
CNN reported that CIA Director John Ratcliffe secretly traveled to Moscow to meet Russian officials.
Before the trip, the United States reportedly asked Ukraine to stop some attacks on Moscow and northern Russian cities for three days.
Ukraine was told that a senior American official would visit Russia.
A US military transport plane also landed in Moscow.
The visit happened while the United States was trying to bring Russia and Ukraine closer to a possible deal.
It also came after the United States announced a campaign against countries and groups doing business with Iran, which has close trading ties with Russia.
American intelligence officials are examining whether Russia might test NATO with cyberattacks, secret operations or a small military attack.
The CIA has also helped with several recent prisoner and detainee exchanges between the United States and Russia.
CNN reported that CIA Director John Ratcliffe made an unannounced trip to Moscow for talks with Russian officials.
The United States reportedly asked Ukraine to pause drone and missile attacks on Moscow and northern Russian cities from Monday through Wednesday.
A US Boeing C-17 military transport aircraft landed at Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport after departing from Joint Base Andrews, according to flight tracking data.
The visit comes as Washington seeks to bring Russia and Ukraine closer to a potential agreement and as US intelligence assesses possible future Russian challenges to NATO.
The CIA has helped arrange recent US-Russia detainee exchanges, including the releases of Ksenia Karelina, Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan.
- Who
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Russian officials, US officials and Ukraine are central to the report.
- What
- Ratcliffe reportedly traveled secretly to Moscow for talks, while the United States asked Ukraine to temporarily halt attacks on Russian cities.
- Where
- Moscow, including Vnukovo International Airport; the aircraft reportedly departed from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
- When
- The reported pause in attacks covered Monday through Wednesday; a US military aircraft landed early Tuesday. The article does not give a calendar date.
- Why
- The trip occurred during US efforts to bring Russia and Ukraine closer to a deal and amid issues involving Iran, NATO security assessments and detainee exchanges.
Key facts
- Reported visitor
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe
- Reported destination
- Moscow, Russia
- Reported request to Ukraine
- Temporarily halt drone and missile attacks on Moscow and northern Russian cities
- Reported pause
- Monday through Wednesday
- Aircraft
- US Boeing C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft
- Landing location
- Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow
- Recent detainee exchanges
- The CIA was involved in the 2024 exchange involving Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan; Ratcliffe negotiated Ksenia Karelina’s release in April 2025
Quotes
Latvian Defence Ministry spokesperson
A spokesperson for Latvia’s Defence Ministry commenting on the US military flight to Moscow.
“properly coordinated and authorised for operation within the airspace”
NDTV
Sources
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