US spy chief visits Russia for meetings, media reports

World US CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) Director John Ratcliffe travelled to Moscow for talks with Russian officials, in what would be the first known visit by a US spy chief to Russia since 2021. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe speaks during a press conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, US, Apr 6, 2026. (Photo: REUTERS/Evan Vucci) 26 Aug 2026 03:46AM (Updated: 26 Aug 2026 04:18AM) WASHINGTON: US CIA Director John Ratcliffe travelled to Moscow on Tuesday (Aug 25) for meetings with Russian officials, US media outlets reported, citing unnamed sources.The visit would be the first known visit to the Russian capital by a US spy chief since Ratcliffe's predecessor, William Burns, held talks with Vladimir Putin in November 2021. About three months after that meeting, the Russian president launched Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.CBS News and Axios reported the visit by Ratcliffe, US President Donald Trump's CIA chief, who served as director of national intelligence in Trump's first term. The outlets did not say who he was meeting with or what the talks are expected to cover.The CIA declined to comment. The Kremlin did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Monday, the US warned countries to cut business ties with Iran or face secondary sanctions, a move aimed at stepping up economic pressure on Tehran to settle the war that Trump launched in February.The US has no ambassador to Russia, which maintains a close strategic partnership with Iran involving extensive military, economic and diplomatic ties.Tehran supplied Moscow with drones for its war against Ukraine. In March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of supplying its version of those drones to Iran.A Ukrainian intelligence assessment reported by Reuters in April said that Russia has aided Iran with satellite imagery for use in targeting US facilities in the Middle East.Moscow denies providing such assistance and has said it is ready to help resolve the US-Iran conflict.