The Kremlin says John Ratcliffe met Russian intelligence officials but not Vladimir Putin during his surprise visit to Moscow on Tuesday. The secrecy surrounding the trip fuelled speculation that the CIA director was carrying a warning from Washington. #EuropeNews
Published on
26/08/2026 - 15:05 GMT+2
CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s surprise visit to Moscow on Tuesday sparked speculation about the trip's sudden nature and what message Washington considered important enough for the US spy chief to deliver in person.
The Kremlin confirmed that Ratcliffe held talks with Russian intelligence officials during his hours-long visit, but said he did not meet Vladimir Putin.
“No meetings with Putin were planned,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
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