Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
A surprise visit to Moscow by the director of the CIA has sparked a flurry of questions.
Speculation flared after CIA Director John Ratcliffe flew to Moscow for unexpected talks. Outlets including The Wall Street Journal and CBS News reported the trip aimed to warn Russia against targeting NATO territory.
US President Donald Trump brushed off those concerns in the Oval Office. “I’ve had good talks with him. He’s not going to be attacking a NATO territory,” Trump stated when asked about Vladimir Putin.
When pressed on whether Ratcliffe delivered a warning, Trump stayed vague.
“I don’t want to comment on that, but they’re not going to attack,” he told reporters according to AFP, cited by Euronews and France24.
Speaking to radio host Glenn Beck, Trump called the trip “very sort of semi-routine.” He emphasized the focus was on Ukraine. “I hate to disappoint people. We would like to see the war with Ukraine end,” Trump said.
Calm in Europe
Russian foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin confirmed the encounter, according to state news agency TASS.
“Yes, the meeting did take place, but there is nothing unusual about it,” Naryshkin said, describing it as “quite a delicate and special matter.”
European officials also downplayed risks. A senior EU official speaking anonymously noted, “European services in general do not see any risk of an attack from Russia to the European countries, and this assessment has not changed.”
Threat level unchanged
Following the reports of Ratcliffe’s trip to Moscow, Russian neighbour and NATO member Estonia announced that its threat assessment remains unchanged.
According to Estonian public broadcaster ERR, Estonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsakhna said:
“Throughout Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, United States officials have met regularly with Russian representatives, so the CIA director’s visit should not be regarded as pivotal.”
Estonia’s official threat assessment indicates that Russia has no immediate intention of launching a direct military attack against Estonia or any other NATO member.
Pressure keeps rising
Peskov noted Russia “would prefer to achieve its objectives by peaceful means, but in the absence of an opportunity to do so, it is continuing the special military operation,” while criticizing Europe’s “very aggressive policy.”
Trump also minimized concerns regarding Russia’s trade with Iran despite recent US economic threats over the Strait of Hormuz. “So far, I think Russia’s behaved quite well, having to do with the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said.
