CIA chief visits Moscow, warns Russia against attacking NATO and aiding Iran

CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow on Tuesday, sparking speculation about the purpose of his unusual trip to Russia. According to the Wall Street Journal, Ratcliffe sought to warn the Kremlin against attacking NATO and press Russia to reduce its military and economic support for Iran. Politico reported that Ratcliffe also emphasized the need for Russia to avoid escalating confrontations with U.S. NATO allies, particularly the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed Ratcliffe's arrival but initially denied he met with President Vladimir Putin, stating that the visit was an "interagency" meeting. The White House declined to comment on the visit, referring to remarks made by President Donald Trump, who described it as "semi-routine."