Reuters: Zelensky meets CIA Director John Ratcliffe at Ireland’s Shannon Airport, less than a month after Ratcliffe’s first trip to Moscow for talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with CIA Director John Ratcliffe at Ireland’s Shannon Airport, according to a Reuters report citing two sources. The two leaders reportedly had an informal conversation while their aircraft were being refueled. The specifics of their discussion are unknown. Zelensky is making his way to New York, where he is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on September 22.

Ratcliffe met with Zelensky less than a month after visiting Moscow, where he reportedly had discussions with high-ranking Russian intelligence officials. The Kremlin clarified that Ratcliffe did not have direct contact with President Vladimir Putin. It is unclear what message Ratcliffe conveyed during his visit to Moscow. A Reuters source suggested that the topic of Russia's war against Ukraine was discussed.

The Financial Times referred to Ratcliffe as a crucial new U.S. negotiator on the matter, although the White House denied this assertion. Recently, the Kremlin indicated that peace talks involving the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine might recommence in October.