CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a covert trip to Moscow on Tuesday, as confirmed by sources familiar with the situation. This visit marks his first known trip to Russia in his current role.
The trip was brought to light when a U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport plane was observed landing at a Moscow airport, followed by a U.S. diplomatic motorcade traversing the city.
Details of the Meetings
While the CIA has not provided any official comment regarding Ratcliffe’s visit, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov disclosed that Ratcliffe engaged in discussions with Russian intelligence officials. However, he did not meet with President Vladimir Putin during this trip.
Peskov indicated that President Putin was briefed on the discussions but refrained from speculating on whether these talks could alleviate the strained U.S.-Russian relations, which have been severely impacted by Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Context of the Visit
Prior to Ratcliffe’s arrival, U.S. officials informed Ukrainian leaders about the senior delegation’s travel to Moscow and requested that Ukraine hold off on military strikes until the delegation had departed.
Recent intelligence assessments from the U.S. suggest a potential shift in President Putin’s risk calculations, with indications that he may be more inclined to authorize provocative actions against NATO members. This includes hybrid operations and other covert measures that stop short of conventional military engagement.
Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts
U.S.-mediated peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia have largely stalled, with significant gaps remaining on critical issues. The CIA has been involved in recent detainee exchanges between the two nations, including the release of Ksenia Karelina, a dual U.S.-Russian national, in April 2025, a case Ratcliffe personally negotiated.
Additionally, the agency played a role in the 2024 exchange that resulted in the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Marine veteran Paul Whelan.
Recent Developments
It remains unclear whether the CIA was involved in a recent prisoner exchange reported by Russian officials, which allegedly took place on Wednesday. According to Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova, 10 prisoners of war from each side were exchanged in Belarus, a relatively low number compared to previous swaps. Lantratova did not specify if any senior officers were among those exchanged.
Former CIA Director William Burns had previously visited Moscow in November 2021, where he met with senior Russian officials and directly warned President Putin against invading Ukraine.
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