27.08.2026 09:53
It has been claimed that CIA Director Ratcliffe's secret visit to Moscow was aimed at warning Russia not to attack NATO countries and the Baltic states. US officials have expressed concerns about potential interventions by Putin against the Baltic countries.
It has been claimed that the purpose of the secret visit by the Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), John Ratcliffe, to Russia was to warn Russian officials to avoid attacks on NATO member countries and the Baltic states.
US officials speaking to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) stated that Ratcliffe's visit took place following recent US intelligence assessments predicting that Russian President Vladimir Putin could test NATO's resolve within a few years by carrying out an attack on an allied country.
US officials reported that there are concerns that Putin, bogged down in Ukraine and under domestic public pressure, could carry out interventions, possibly targeting a Baltic country, ranging from cyber attacks to small-scale ground incursions.
US officials, pointing out that the ammunition shortage in Western countries caused by expenditures in the Iran War could also be a factor in Putin's "likelihood of attacking," claimed that Ratcliffe's surprise visit to Moscow this week was intended to convey a warning to Russia not to attack NATO countries.
RATCLIFFE MET WITH RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, in a statement to journalists in Moscow yesterday, said that Ratcliffe held meetings with Russian intelligence officials in Moscow but did not meet with Russian President Putin. Peskov also stated that Putin was informed about the meetings.
TRUMP: A SEMI-ROUTINE VISIT
US President Donald Trump described Ratcliffe's recent visit to Moscow as "semi-routine," denying claims that the visit was linked to potential "Russian military threats" against NATO or the UK.