WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Thursday insisted Russian leader Vladimir Putin would not attack NATO territory, downplaying reports that Washington had warned Moscow against a possible move on Europe.
The Kremlin also dismissed the reports as “scare stories” following a rare visit to the Russian capital by CIA Director John Ratcliffe that sparked fevered speculation.
“I’ve had good talks with him. He’s not going to be attacking a NATO territory,” Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if Putin had agreed not to do so.
The Wall Street Journal and CBS News reported that Ratcliffe had sought to dissuade Russia against striking NATO, amid US intelligence assessments that Moscow could seek to test the alliance as tensions mount over the Ukraine war.
The Journal reported that Putin could test NATO with a “limited assault” within the next few years.
