The European Commission stated that it was unaware of the CIA director's visit to Moscow
On August 27, the European Commission stated that it had not been notified of CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s visit to Moscow. At the same time, the EU emphasized that it continues to strengthen its own defense capabilities.
This was reported by European Commission spokespeople on Thursday, August 27.
The European Commission declined to comment on the CIA director’s visit to Moscow and emphasized the strengthening of the EU’s defense capabilities.
“The CIA director did not inform us of his schedule,” said European Commission Chief Spokesperson Paula Pinho.
“We are not waiting for the 2030 deadline to take action,” added European Commission defense spokesperson Thomas Renier, responding to journalists’ questions about whether, in light of the purpose of Ratcliffe’s visit to Moscow, the target date for the flagship defense project “Readiness 2030” should be moved up to 2026.
He highlighted the SAFE defense financial instrument, which has already been successfully launched. Specifically, on August 26, Romania received its first disbursement of 2.5 billion euros to strengthen its defense capabilities and invest in the defense industry.
“We have already secured more than 90 billion euros under the SAFE instrument. We are already making the first disbursements. The work continues. Contracts are being signed, so the Commission is moving forward on defense at full speed, as is the EU as a whole,” emphasized Thomas Renier, according to the EP.
Earlier, Naryshkin revealed details of a secret meeting with CIA Director Retcliffe.
During his visit to Moscow, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe met with representatives of the Russian intelligence services—of Russia, the aggressor state—but did not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This was reported by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
U.S. President Donald Trump commented for the first time on CIA Director John Retcliffe’s visit to Moscow, stating that his trip was “semi-routine.”
CIA Director John Ratcliffe did not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe arrived in Moscow on August 25 aboard a C-17 Globemaster III strategic military transport aircraft. Government aircraft could have been used for the senior U.S. official’s trip, but this time a much more powerful military aircraft was chosen.
