CIA Chief Ratcliffe Visits Moscow as Ukraine Talks Stall and US Unveils Iran Sanctions
Updated
Updated · CNN · Aug 25
CIA Chief Ratcliffe Visits Moscow as Ukraine Talks Stall and US Unveils Iran Sanctions
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Aug 25
Summary
John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow overnight for meetings with Russian officials, marking his first known trip there as CIA director under President Donald Trump.
A US official confirmed the visit but gave no details on the agenda, and the CIA declined comment on the talks.
Flightradar24 showed an American Boeing C-17 Globemaster III landing at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport early Tuesday after appearing to depart Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
The trip comes as US-backed efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war have stalled and one day after Treasury launched “Operation Economic Outcast” to punish countries and entities doing business with Iran.
That timing puts added focus on Russia’s role as a strategic trading partner of Tehran, even as Washington keeps multiple pressure tracks open with Moscow.