CIA Chief Ratcliffe Reportedly Visits Moscow, Russia
CIA Director John Ratcliffe reportedly visited Moscow, Russia on Tuesday. The trip was unannounced.
It was reportedly his first known visit to Russia as CIA chief. Reports said he held talks with Russian officials.
The subjects discussed were not disclosed. Flight data showed a US military plane flew to Russia.
The plane traveled from the United States via Latvia. Flight-tracking websites showed the plane landed at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport.
A US diplomatic motorcade was later seen in Moscow. CBS News sources confirmed Ratcliffe's trip.
US and Russian leaders have not confirmed the visit. The CIA also stayed silent.
So did the US Defense Department and the US Air Force. The visit happened while US-brokered Ukraine peace talks have stalled.
Axios reported that Washington asked Ukraine to pause strikes. This was reportedly while the US delegation was in Moscow.
Ratcliffe has kept contact with Russian intelligence officials. The CIA has helped arrange recent US-Russia prisoner swaps.
Key Terms 5
- CIA Central Intelligence Agency, the main US spy agency.
- John Ratcliffe Current director of the CIA.
- Vnukovo Airport A major airport located near Moscow, Russia.
- Axios An American news website that reports on politics.
- US Defense Department The US government agency in charge of the military.