WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — CIA Director John Ratcliffe is in Moscow for meetings, according to sources familiar with his trip. His visit comes as Washington works to advance peace talks involving Russia and Ukraine.
The trip marks Ratcliffe’s first known visit to Russia since he became CIA director.
Ratcliffe’s visit came to light after observers spotted a U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport plane at a Moscow airport.
A U.S. diplomatic motorcade also appeared at the airport. However, neither the U.S. government nor the Russian government has confirmed Ratcliffe’s presence or explained the purpose of the trip.
The CIA also did not immediately comment.
Still, Ratcliffe has maintained contact with Russian intelligence counterparts. His agency has also taken part in several recent discussions between Washington and Moscow.
The CIA has helped with U.S.-Russia detainee exchanges in recent years. Ratcliffe personally negotiated the April 2025 release of Ksenia Karelina, a U.S.-Russian dual national.
The agency also played a role in the 2024 prisoner exchange that secured the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan.
Ratcliffe’s trip also recalls an earlier visit by former CIA Director William Burns. Burns traveled to Moscow in November 2021 as tensions between Washington and Moscow increased.
During that visit, Burns met senior Russian officials and spoke directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He warned Putin against invading Ukraine.
Russia later launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, U.S.-Russia relations have faced major strain.
However, officials have not disclosed what Ratcliffe plans to discuss in Moscow. It also remains unclear whether his meetings will directly address the Ukraine war or other U.S.-Russia issues.
