CIA Chief Meets with Russian Officials in Moscow, US Media Reports
The head of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has traveled to Moscow for unannounced talks, according to CBS, a BBC US news partner.
John Ratcliffe, reportedly arrived in the Russian capital earlier on Tuesday. Neither Washington nor Moscow has confirmed the purpose of the visit or scheduled meetings.
In-person discussions between high-level American and Russian officials are uncommon. The CIA, White House, and Pentagon have been contacted for comment.
Flight tracking data confirms a large US military aircraft flew to Russia from the US via Latvia on Tuesday. Footage on social media shows the C-17 transport plane approaching Moscow's Vnukovo International Airport. It departed Riga airport at 05:50 GMT and landed in Moscow around 07:04 GMT, according to FlightRadar24 data.
The trip is believed to be Ratcliffe's first to Russia as CIA director, though he has maintained communication with his Russian counterparts. He played a role in negotiations for the release of Russian-American citizen Ksenia Karelina, who was jailed in Russia for over a year after being accused of supporting Ukraine.
The CIA was also involved in a 2024 prisoner swap deal that released Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former US marine Paul Whelan, and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva.
US-Russia relations have been strained since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, leading to international sanctions on Moscow. Ratcliffe's visit appears to be one of the highest-level American official engagements with Russia during President Donald Trump's second term.