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CIA director arrives in Moscow
John Ratcliffe travelled to Moscow aboard a US military transport aircraft for unannounced meetings.
What happened
CIA Director John Ratcliffe arrived in Moscow on a US Air Force C-17 transport aircraft and held meetings with Russian officials. The visit was not announced in advance. The Kremlin did not confirm details, and the CIA, Pentagon and Air Force declined comment. Putin was not expected to meet him.
Numbers
- One C-17US Air Force plane at Vnukovo
- Three daysRequested pause in Ukrainian strikes — Monday through Wednesday
- Since 2021Last known US spy-chief visit
Questions
- What was Ukraine asked to pause?
- A source familiar with the trip said US officials asked Ukraine to pause strikes on Moscow and other cities from Monday through Wednesday.
- Where did the flight begin?
- Tracking data showed the aircraft originated at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland before continuing through Riga and landing at Vnukovo.
- Who was ruled out as host?
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Vladimir Putin did not plan to meet Ratcliffe, while other participants were not named.
- What was the previous known visit?
- William Burns was the last known US intelligence chief to visit Moscow, holding talks with Putin in November twenty twenty-one.
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The catch
Neither government publicly disclosed the visit’s purpose, attendees, agenda or any outcome from the meetings.
Official details remain unavailable.