CIA Director Ratcliffe holds rare talks in Moscow with Russian intelligence counterparts

The Kremlin confirmed Wednesday that CIA Director John Ratcliffe held talks in Moscow with his Russian intelligence counterparts, marking a rare and secretive visit at a time when relations between Washington and Moscow remain strained over Russia's war in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Ratcliffe did not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though Putin was informed of the discussions, which took place "on the intelligence agencies' level."

"Of course, President Putin is immediately informed of everything," Peskov added, declining to disclose the content of the talks.

Russian state news agencies reported that a U.S. military aircraft landed at Moscow's Vnukovo airport on Tuesday and departed later that day.

Trump Downplays Visit

U.S. President Donald Trump played down the significance of Ratcliffe's trip, describing it as "sort of semi-routine."

"I hate to disappoint people," he said on conservative broadcaster Glenn Beck's radio show Wednesday.

Ukraine Informed of Delegation

A senior Ukrainian official told The Associated Press that Washington informed Kyiv a delegation would be traveling to the Russian capital and requested that Ukraine suspend strikes until the delegation departed. The official said the request applied specifically to Moscow, St. Petersburg, and some northern regions—not all Russian territory. Strikes on other parts of Russia continued, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

CBS News first reported on the visit.

Kremlin: US-Russia Relations in 'Profound Crisis'

Peskov described "contacts between intelligence agencies" as "a positive phenomenon, a positive process," but stressed that Russia-U.S. relations remain in a "profound crisis."

He added that it was "too early to say" what impact Ratcliffe's visit would have on bilateral ties.

Andrei Soldatov, an expert on Russia's security services, told AP that visits like Ratcliffe's do not "happen every year." He noted that official communication channels between Moscow and Washington have been maintained since the 1980s, allowing both sides to communicate when American or Russian lives are in danger or for other reasons.

Historical Context

In 2021, Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of Putin's Security Council, met then-CIA Director William Burns in Moscow months before Russian forces invaded Ukraine. Burns later met Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia's foreign intelligence agency, in Turkey in November 2022 to warn Russia against deploying a nuclear weapon in Ukraine.

Details of Tuesday's discussions have not been disclosed, but Soldatov said such meetings typically occur only when there is a pressing national security matter and when it serves "American national interests."

Broader Diplomatic Landscape

Russia-U.S. relations sank to Cold War lows after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 but appeared to warm after Trump returned to office. Trump had promised to end the war swiftly, holding multiple phone calls with Putin and even hosting him in Alaska a year ago.

In his Wednesday radio appearance, Trump reiterated his desire to see the Russia-Ukraine war end.

Efforts to negotiate a peace deal have largely stalled, with U.S. attention shifting to its conflict with Iran and both Moscow and Kyiv escalating long-range attacks against each other. Putin has rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's push for an immediate ceasefire, arguing that Russia seeks a comprehensive settlement rather than a temporary truce.

Russia's Role in Iran Conflict

Russia has proposed mediating in the U.S. and Israel's war with Iran, Moscow's important ally in the Middle East.

After Putin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, Tehran provided Russia with Shahed drones and later licensed their production in Russia. In January 2025, Moscow and Tehran signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty. However, Russia has also maintained friendly relations with Israel, and analysts describe its ties with Iran as complex and challenging.

In March, AP reported that Russia provided Iran with information that could help Tehran strike American warships, aircraft, and other assets in the region, according to two officials familiar with U.S. intelligence on the matter. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, cautioned that U.S. intelligence has not uncovered evidence that Russia is directing Iran on how to use the information.

Asked at the time whether Russia would go beyond political support and offer military assistance to Iran, Peskov said Tehran had made no such request. Pressed on whether Moscow provided any military or intelligence assistance to Tehran since the Iran war began, he declined to comment.

Soldatov suggested that Tuesday's meeting may have involved protecting U.S. personnel, bases, or facilities in the Middle East that have been targeted.