MOSCOW: The Kremlin on August 27 rejected media reports about the rare visit of CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Moscow, calling claims about his mission “scare stories” with no connection to reality.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said reports that Ratcliffe had travelled to Russia to warn Moscow against attacking NATO countries were part of a wider campaign of speculation, as reported by Hurriyet Daily News.
“A lot of such scare stories are being published right now. Of course, they have nothing to do with reality,” Peskov told reporters.
He added that Russia was facing what he described as “a very aggressive policy” from European countries.
Peskov was responding to reports published by The Wall Street Journal and CBS News on August 26. The reports said Ratcliffe had sought to discourage Russia from attacking NATO member states, following US intelligence assessments that Moscow could try to test the alliance.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Russian President Vladimir Putin could attempt a “limited assault” against NATO within the next few years.
US President Donald Trump, however, played down the significance of Ratcliffe’s visit to Moscow on August 25. In an interview with conservative radio host Glenn Beck, Trump described the trip as “semi-routine” and suggested that the CIA chief had travelled to discuss the war in Ukraine.
“He’s there, very sort of semi-routine. I hate to disappoint people. We would like to see the war with Ukraine end,” Trump said.
Ratcliffe is among the highest-ranking US officials to visit Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022. His trip came as Russian attacks in Ukraine intensified during the summer, increasing civilian casualties and placing further pressure on stalled, US-brokered peace efforts.
CBS News also reported that Ratcliffe discussed the war in Iran during his Moscow visit. Citing people familiar with the matter, the network said he warned of possible additional sanctions if the Strait of Hormuz remained closed to shipping traffic.
