CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow in late August 2026, according to US media reports. The New York Times and Washington Post reported that he flew on a US Air Force C-17 that stopped in Riga, Latvia, and spent about eight hours in Moscow. The Kremlin said he had “contacts” with Russia’s special services but didn’t meet President Vladimir Putin. It was the first visit to Moscow by a CIA director since William Burns in November 2021.
The Wall Street Journal and Politico, citing unnamed sources, reported that Ratcliffe warned Moscow not to attack NATO allies, including Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and urged Russia to cut military and economic support for Iran. CNN, citing two people familiar with the matter, reported the same. CBS News reported he also warned of further sanctions if the Strait of Hormuz doesn’t reopen to shipping.
President Trump called the trip “semi-routine” and said Putin is not going to attack NATO territory.
