CIA chief in Moscow for unannounced talks, US media reports

John Ratcliffe, the head of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), has arrived in Moscow for unannounced talks, according to reports from CBS US news partner. Neither Washington or Moscow have confirmed the purpose of the visit or the identities of those he met. High-level American and Russian officials meeting in person is an uncommon occurrence.

Flight tracking data indicated a large US military aircraft traveling to Russia from the US via Latvia on Tuesday, before departing the Russian capital later that day. Footage on social media showed a C-17 transport plane approaching Moscow's Vnukovo international airport, which landed around 07:04 GMT after taking off from Riga at 05:50 GMT.

A diplomatic motorcade was also filmed traversing Moscow. Prior to his trip, the US informed Ukraine that a senior delegation would visit Moscow, requesting Kyiv to pause strikes until their departure. This journey may be Ratcliffe's inaugural visit to Russia as CIA director, though he has maintained communication with his intelligence counterparts in Moscow.

British military attaché John Foreman suggested the visit could focus on managing escalation, given recent speculation that drone activity in Germany might be linked to Russia. He also speculated the visit might pertain to the release of US detainees held in Russia. Ratcliffe was instrumental in negotiations for the release of Russian-American Ksenia Karelina, who was imprisoned in Russia for over a year after being accused of aiding Ukraine.

The CIA participated in a 2024 prisoner swap with Russia, resulting in the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former US marine Paul Whelan, and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva. Relations between the US and Russia have been tense since the country's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, leading to international isolation and economic sanctions.

Ratcliffe is one of the highest-ranking US officials to visit Russia during President Donald Trump's second term. Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at an Alaska summit last year, but no breakthrough was achieved. Subsequent US-led peace talks between Russia and Ukraine seem to have stalled.