CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s secret Moscow visit focuses on Ukraine and Iran talks, marking a significant step in U.S.-Russia backchannel communications.
Moscow: (RightNow) CIA Director John Ratcliffe made an unannounced visit to Moscow. He held significant meetings with Russian officials on the Ukraine war and Iran issues.
This visit occurred amid stalled efforts to end the Ukraine conflict. It marks Ratcliffe’s first trip to Moscow and the first by a senior U.S. intelligence chief since November 2021.
A U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17 military aircraft landed at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport. The plane flew from Washington, stopped in Riga, and then reached Moscow. U.S. media confirmed the journey.
Latvia’s Ministry of Defense refused to disclose details of the visit. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also expressed unawareness of the U.S. plane’s arrival. The CIA and White House declined to comment.
It is noted that the visit aims to discuss the Ukraine war settlement, U.S.-Iran tensions, and prisoner exchanges. Analysts see this as part of behind-the-scenes contacts between Washington and Moscow.
