CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow after US intelligence detected early Russian preparations for a possible military mobilization for the war in Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing information reviewed by the newspaper.
The intelligence reportedly indicated that Moscow was preparing for a potential mobilization and had plans to test NATO's resolve. Analysts suggested that Ratcliffe may have met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to deliver a warning based on the information gathered by US intelligence.
The reported visit also prompted Washington to ask Ukraine to temporarily suspend attacks on Russian territory while the US delegation was in Moscow. Sources in Ukrainian government circles confirmed to Suspilne that Kyiv was asked not to strike either Moscow or St. Petersburg during the visit.
Reports of Ratcliffe's trip first emerged after a US Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft and a US diplomatic motorcade were spotted at a Moscow airport. US officials subsequently confirmed that the CIA director had traveled to the Russian capital.
The visit would mark the first time a CIA director has traveled to Russia since November 2021. At that time, then-CIA Director William Burns went to Moscow to warn the Kremlin at the highest level that Washington was aware of preparations for what would become Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
