Zelensky Says US Briefed Ukraine on CIA-Moscow Meetings
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday, Aug. 28, that Ukraine received information from the US about several meetings between CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Russian intelligence officials. He welcomed Washington’s approach in talks with Russia, saying coordinated international action must create the conditions for Moscow to end its aggression against Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky informed the public on August 28 that the United States had briefed Kyiv on CIA Director John Ratcliffe's meetings with Russian intelligence officials during his unannounced trip to Moscow on August 25. Zelensky expressed gratitude for the US sharing information and maintaining a diplomatic tone towards Russia.
He emphasized that Russia must cease its war efforts and create conditions for peace. The US aircraft carrying Ratcliffe, a RCH4555 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, landed at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport, after first arriving in Riga, Latvia, from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Neither Moscow nor Washington commented on the purpose of Ratcliffe's visit.
Sources reported that Washington had informed Kyiv beforehand about a high-level US delegation traveling to Moscow and the request to avoid strikes on both Moscow and St. Petersburg. On August 26, The Wall Street Journal and Politico revealed that Ratcliffe visited Moscow to caution Russian President Vladimir Putin against attacking a NATO member.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg noted Russia's consideration of intensifying missile attacks on Ukraine after peace negotiations broke down. US President Donald Trump downplayed Ratcliffe's visit, stating that no unusual message was conveyed. Ratcliffe reportedly warned Russian intelligence officials about the deteriorating military and economic position of Russia if it refused serious peace negotiations.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
