Secret Intelligence Meeting in Moscow and Vladimir Putin's Plans

According to classified American intelligence assessments, Russian President Vladimir Putin views the United States as having weakened following months of war in Iran, and identifies this as an opportunity to expand operations against American allies in Europe, as reported this morning (Friday) in the "Washington Post".

At the same time, the "Wall Street Journal" reported that this week, US President Donald Trump sent the head of the CIA on a secret mission to Moscow, where he warned Russia against attacking NATO countries. According to two sources familiar with the matter who spoke with the "Washington Post", the intelligence assessments preceded the secret visit of CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Russia.

According to the report in the "Wall Street Journal", Ratcliffe was sent to exert pressure on Moscow to cease economic or security ties with Iran, and also with the goal of discussing the resumption of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. It was further reported that Ratcliffe was sent on the mission without some senior White House officials being updated in advance.

While the head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Sergey Naryshkin confirmed that he met with Ratcliffe, the White House and the CIA refused to comment on the reports.