Is Putin Ready to Go to Extremes in Russia?

On 25 August 2026, US media reported that CIA Director John Ratcliffe made an unannounced trip to Moscow to meet Russian officials, after a US military aircraft was tracked landing in the Russian capital. The Kremlin denied US talks, and Kremlin spokesman Peskov briefed on the US aircraft in Moscow and on Ukrainian settlement terms. NDTV reported the trip came as the US asks Ukraine to halt strikes, and Kyiv Post said it came as Ukraine peace talks stall.

Separately, the Vatican's top diplomat visited Moscow and said the Ukraine war must end. Lavrov thanked the Vatican for its 'balanced position' on Ukraine, said Russia is ready to resume political consultations with it, and said Russia passed the Vatican a report on Kyiv's alleged unlawful actions against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Peskov called rumors of a new wave of mobilization false, and Medvedev said the West seeks to create flashpoints along Russia's borders.