The CIA Director did not meet with Putin during his visit to Moscow
CIA Director John Ratcliffe did not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow.
According to him, contacts took place between the intelligence agencies of the two countries during the American official’s trip.
“Contacts took place between the intelligence agencies. There were no meetings with the Russian president. And that is all I can say on this matter. Of course, President Putin is informed of everything immediately,” Peskov said.
At the same time, the Kremlin spokesman described the contacts between the intelligence services as a positive development, which, he said, continues even during the most difficult moments in bilateral relations.
Earlier reports indicated that Retcliffe arrived in Moscow on August 25, though the official purpose of his visit was not disclosed.
This was stated by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
The Kremlin stated that CIA Director John Retcliffe had arrived in Moscow for talks, but did not disclose the specific purpose of his visit. According to U.S. media reports, Retcliffe may have come to warn Vladimir Putin about the consequences of a possible escalation against Europe and NATO.
Earlier, a U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft—which, according to Axios, had brought CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Moscow—departed from the Russian capital.
Putin changed his schedule due to the possible visit by the CIA director.
John Ratcliffe, Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, arrived in Moscow on August 25 aboard a C-17 Globemaster III strategic military transport aircraft. Government aircraft could have been used for the American official’s trip, but this time a much more powerful military aircraft was chosen.
