American media outlets have reported that John Ratcliffe, Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), has traveled to Moscow to meet with Russian officials.
CBS News and Axios, citing anonymous sources, reported Ratcliffe’s visit but did not provide details about his meetings, which Russian officials he may have spoken with, or the agenda of the discussions.
If Ratcliffe’s trip is confirmed, it would be the first known visit to Moscow by a CIA director since November 2021. At that time, former CIA Director William Burns met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Meanwhile, data from FlightRadar24 indicates that a U.S. military C-17 transport aircraft departed from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, made a stop in Riga, and then traveled to Moscow.
The aircraft later departed Moscow, prompting speculation that Ratcliffe may have been transported aboard it. However, neither U.S. nor Russian officials have confirmed that the CIA director was on the aircraft.
So far, no official information has been released regarding the purpose of Ratcliffe’s reported trip or the issues he may have discussed with Russian officials.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
