Did CIA chief warn Russia against attacking NATO member? Kremlin dismisses 'scare-story'

US media outlets have recently reported that CIA Director John Ratcliffe warned Russia against attacking a NATO member country during his trip to Moscow. However, the Kremlin has dismissed these claims as "scare-story material." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the reports are not based on reality and do not reflect Russia's intentions.

Ratcliffe's first official visit to Moscow as CIA chief was reportedly aimed at preventing Russia from launching an attack on a NATO country, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. The report suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin might consider a cyberattack or a small-scale land incursion, possibly on a Baltic nation.

The US media reports surfaced amid speculation over Ratcliffe's visit to Moscow. On Tuesday, data from Flightradar24 indicated that a US military C-17 plane, carrying Ratcliffe, traveled to Latvia and then to Moscow. Russia confirmed the CIA Director's trip, mentioning that he spoke with Russian intelligence officials but did not meet with President Putin.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the talks as a "positive development," while the White House offered little clarity about the trip. President Donald Trump described the visit as "semi-routine" and mentioned the ongoing desire to end Russia's war with Ukraine. The CIA declined to comment on the situation.