CIA Director John Ratcliffe warned Russia against attacking NATO countries during a recent visit to Moscow, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources familiar with the visit.
Previously, several media outlets, citing intelligence sources, reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin could try to test NATO’s resolve with a limited attack on one of the alliance’s countries. One of the Baltic states was identified as a possible target.
Politico published similar information, citing two sources and a British official.
“His meeting was primarily to warn Russia against any escalatory action against the Baltic states,” one of the publication’s sources said.
Support for Iran was another topic discussed at the meeting. Ratcliffe sought to persuade Moscow to reduce its support.
The Kremlin did not disclose details of the talks. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that the contacts took place through intelligence channels and that there had been no meeting with Putin.
U.S. President Donald Trump called the visit “semi-routine” but acknowledged that it was aimed at ending the war.
“I hate to disappoint people. We would like to see the war with Ukraine end,” he said.
