The director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, John Ratcliffe, held discussions with Russian intelligence officials during a visit to Moscow on Tuesday, the Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday.
Ratcliffe did not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though the Kremlin said Putin was promptly briefed on the outcome of the talks. The meetings took place amid heightened tensions, with the war in Ukraine intensifying and U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations at an impasse.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to specify the topics discussed or provide further details, stating only that contacts occurred through security channels. Peskov noted that intelligence agency communications often continue even during periods of strained bilateral relations, but cautioned that it remains too early to determine whether the talks would help stabilize the deeply troubled U.S.-Russia relationship.
The visit follows Ratcliffe’s public appearances in Washington, including a March 19 appearance on Capitol Hill, and comes as geopolitical frictions between the two nations remain elevated over Ukraine, sanctions, and broader security concerns.
