Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe has visited Moscow for contacts between Russian and American intelligence services, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed to The Washington Post.
Peskov declined to provide further details regarding the discussions, but stated that no meetings between Ratcliffe and Russian President Vladimir Putin were planned during the trip. The Kremlin spokesman had previously stated that no meetings with representatives of the United States administration were scheduled in Moscow this week.
The CIA is the primary foreign intelligence agency of the United States, responsible for gathering and analyzing international security information. Peskov emphasized that the high-level visit was strictly focused on inter-agency communications between the security services of both nations.
Flight details and aircraft movement
The US official's arrival followed the landing of an American military transport aircraft at Vnukovo Airport in Moscow on the morning of August 25. The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, a heavy transport plane operated by the United States military, flew from Joint Base Andrews near Washington, D.C., travelling in transit through Riga, Latvia.
Following its departure from the Russian capital, the aircraft returned along its original flight path toward Latvia. A Tu-214PU aircraft belonging to the "Rossiya" Special Flight Detachment, which handles Russian government transport, took off from Vnukovo Airport shortly after the American plane departed.
History of intelligence contacts
Ratcliffe was appointed director of the CIA in 2025. Following his appointment, Russian intelligence officials expressed readiness to hold bilateral meetings if Washington demonstrated interest in maintaining such communication channels.
The heads of the two intelligence services held their initial phone conversation in March, followed by a second discussion in April. During those calls, the two sides discussed intelligence agency cooperation and crisis management, agreeing to maintain regular contact to lower confrontation between the countries.
Sergei Naryshkin, the director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), reported in June that the SVR and CIA maintain active communication regarding Ukraine. Naryshkin noted that contacts with the CIA exist and remain ongoing, although they were less active than under previous agency leadership. Naryshkin had also stated on April 1 that Russian intelligence services were in contact with American counterparts at the CIA regarding Iran.
Speculation over purpose of Moscow visit
Russian and international observers offered various assessments regarding the objectives behind Ratcliffe's trip. Andrei Sidorov, a political analyst and associate professor at the Moscow State University history department, suggested Washington sought closer intelligence ties with Moscow to promptly resolve issues carrying severe consequences for both states. Telegram channel Shot reported that Ratcliffe could meet directly with SVR chief Naryshkin.
Journalist Alexander Yunashev suggested that recent changes in Putin's daily schedule might be linked to the CIA director's arrival. Major General of Aviation Sergei Lipovoy suggested the landing of the US aircraft at Vnukovo Airport could indicate preparations for upcoming negotiations between Russian and American leaders.
Former US Deputy Director of National Intelligence Beth Sanner stated that the CIA chief may have traveled to Moscow due to groundless reports alleging Russian plans to invade a NATO country in the coming years and claims of upcoming mobilization in Russia. Sanner assessed that Ratcliffe intended to discuss the situation surrounding Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East, and Russian support for Iran. Meanwhile, Iuliia Mendel, a former spokesperson for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, suggested Ratcliffe arrived in Moscow for negotiations aimed at stopping strikes on energy infrastructure.
