방러 미 CIA 국장 “나토 공격 말고, 이란 지원 끊어라” 압박

CIA Director John Ratcliffe's first overture aimed at NATO member nations was a warning to avoid attacking them, while also pressuring Iran to cut back on military and economic support, according to multiple sources cited by Politico. Ratcliffe met with Russian government officials the previous day to warn them against escalating tensions over Ukraine's ongoing conflict with NATO allies Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

He also urged Russia to reduce its military and economic support for Iran. The Wall Street Journal also reported Ratcliffe warning NATO members to "not attack NATO member nations." Intelligence agencies have recently assessed the likelihood of Russia launching limited attacks on NATO members in the region, particularly in light of U.S. military fatigue from the Ukraine war and support for Iran.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said no meeting took place between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ratcliffe. Peskov added that positive progress was made and Putin was briefed on the matter. President Donald Trump also mentioned Ratcliffe's visit was related to the Ukraine war. Trump told a conservative radio program "Glenn Beck's Program" that Ratcliffe had been "regularly visiting" and expressed a desire for the war to end.

Ratcliffe's visit was the first since his January inauguration and the first in five years since William Burns' visit in November 2021.