CIA chief meets Russian intelligence in Moscow, Kremlin says

CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow and met with Russian intelligence officials, but not with President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin said on August 26, 2026. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the talks as contacts between intelligence services and confirmed that Putin was aware of the visit. The meeting comes amid ongoing tensions over the war in Ukraine, and some former CIA agents noted that while such contacts are useful, a common goal is lacking.