WSJ: CIA Chief’s Surprise Moscow Trip Was to Warn Russia Not to Attack NATO
Ratcliffe also pressed Moscow to curb support for Iran and warned of additional sanctions if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, sources said.
- On Wednesday, Ratcliffe secretly flew to Moscow to urge Russian officials to stop sharing weapons and defense technology with Iran and avoid 'overreacting' to sanctions.
- Mirroring his clandestine trip to Cuba in May, the visit reflects Trump's strategy of deploying Ratcliffe for tense diplomatic negotiations with major adversaries.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened on Monday to expand sanctions on countries maintaining ties with Iran, while Russia has reportedly bolstered Tehran's drone arsenal and may help pinpoint strikes against U.S. facilities in the Middle East.
- Ratcliffe, widely viewed as a Russia hawk, addressed concerns over the Kremlin's 'short-of-war' techniques—sabotage and cyberattacks—used to undermine allies in Europe without triggering broader NATO retaliation.
- Official silence surrounds the flight, with spokespeople for the embassies of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia declining comment, while a Treasury Department spokesperson did not respond on Wednesday.
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After four years of heavy fighting, the Russian army is slowly making its way through the unknown villages and smaller towns of Donbas, while unnamed sources are telling the American press that Vladimir Putin is preparing to attack NATO. And this is what is said to be the background to the sudden visit to Moscow by CIA chief John Ratcliffe, who came to deliver a warning to the Kremlin.
The visit of US intelligence agency CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Moscow on August 25th has raised many questions. This highly confidential visit was revealed after a US C-17 aircraft and diplomatic convoy were spotted at Moscow airport. According to reports, Russia was also given a message not to "test" NATO and to maintain relations with Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
Politico, WSJ: CIA director visited Moscow to warn Kremlin against attacking NATO countries
CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow to warn Russian officials against attacking NATO member states, particularly Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, according to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal and Politico.
Here's What CIA Chief Was Apparently Doing in Russia
CIA Director John Ratcliffe's quiet trip to Moscow this week wasn't a courtesy call. Multiple sources tell outlets including the Wall Street Journal , CBS News , and ABC News he delivered a blunt message: Don't move against NATO countries, amid US intelligence indicating Russia may probe the alliance's resolve through cyberattacks...
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