Kremlin Confirms CIA Chief Ratcliffe Visited Moscow, Says Putin Briefed

Russian President Vladimir Putin was informed about CIA Director John Ratcliffe's contacts with Russian intelligence officials during his unannounced visit to Moscow on Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.

The Kremlin's comments provide the first official explanation for Ratcliffe's previously undisclosed trip to Moscow, which came to light after a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III landed in the Russian capital.

Putin Briefed

Peskov told Russian state media that Ratcliffe's visit involved contacts "along the line of special services", but declined to identify the Russian officials who met him.

"Of course, the president is immediately informed about everything," Peskov said, confirming that Putin had been briefed. He again stressed that Putin did not meet Ratcliffe.

Peskov separately said there were no Kremlin-level meetings with Ratcliffe planned.

From Mystery Plane To CIA Chief's Visit

The CIA director's visit came to light after a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III landed at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport on Tuesday after flying from Riga.

At the time, Peskov said the Kremlin had no information about the US military aircraft and that there were no planned meetings with representatives of the US administration in Moscow that week.

Meanwhile, Russian state media subsequently reported that Ratcliffe had travelled on the aircraft. The plane left Vnukovo later on Tuesday, according to FlightRadar24 data.

Intelligence Contacts

The Kremlin's latest comments confirm that Ratcliffe's visit involved contacts through the Russian and US special services, although Moscow has not identified the officials involved.

Peskov described such contacts as a positive development, saying intelligence channels often remain open even during the most difficult periods in bilateral relations. He added that it was too early to say whether the latest contacts would help improve broader US-Russia ties.

What Was Discussed?

The Kremlin has not disclosed the subject of Ratcliffe's meetings.

Russian officials have avoided discussing the substance of the talks. The visit was the first known trip to Moscow by a CIA director since William Burns travelled there in 2021.

The trip comes amid continuing efforts to maintain US-Russia diplomatic and intelligence channels despite deep tensions over Ukraine.

For now, Moscow has confirmed Ratcliffe's visit and his contacts with Russian intelligence officials, while saying Putin was briefed on those contacts. The purpose and substance of the discussions remain undisclosed.