# CIA Director John Ratcliffe made an unannounced visit to Moscow

https://mins.news/en/item/31917

- Meduza, 2026-08-25 17:35 UTC
- World
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/08/25/cia-director-john-ratcliffe-made-an-unannounced-visit-to-moscow-here-s-what-we-know

> CIA Director John Ratcliffe flew from Riga to Moscow on a U.S. Air Force C-17 on Aug. 25 and departed that evening. The visit was never officially announced, and its purpose remains unknown. Speculation includes talks over an American prisoner, a secret operation, or a warning to Vladimir Putin. The U.S. also asked Ukraine to pause strikes on Moscow and northern Russian regions.

## Stories

- [US-Russia Security and Diplomatic Engagement](https://mins.news/en/topic/us-russia-security-dialogue) — Markdown: https://mins.news/en/topic/us-russia-security-dialogue.md

## Related coverage

- [Putin did not meet CIA director during Russia visit, Kremlin says](https://mins.news/en/item/32686) — The Kyiv Independent, 2026-08-26
- [Mystery surrounds US spy chief’s secret visit to Moscow](https://mins.news/en/video/32356) — BBC News, 2026-08-25
- [CIA director John Ratcliffe reportedly visits Moscow](https://mins.news/en/item/31835) — The Guardian, 2026-08-25
- [CIA chief in Moscow for unannounced talks, US media reports](https://mins.news/en/item/31789) — BBC News, 2026-08-25