CIA Director John Ratcliffe made an unannounced trip to Moscow on Tuesday, according to multiple reports, solving at least part of the mystery surrounding a U.S. military transport plane that flew from the Washington area to the Russian capital.
Ratcliffe reportedly traveled aboard a C-17 transport aircraft that originated at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, a facility routinely used for travel by senior U.S. government officials.
The aircraft made a stop in Latvia before continuing on to Moscow, initially triggering speculation about who was aboard after both the Pentagon and White House declined to identify the passengers.
CBS News and Axios subsequently reported that Ratcliffe was the senior official who had traveled to Russia.
The CIA did not immediately provide additional information about the reported visit when contacted for comment.
Ratcliffe is regarded as one of President Donald Trump’s closest and most trusted advisers and has played a significant role in the administration’s handling of the war with Iran. It was not immediately clear, however, what issues the CIA chief planned to discuss with Russian officials or whom he was scheduled to meet during the Moscow visit.
Efforts to find a resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war, which have remained stalled for an extended period, have largely been overseen by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law. The two traveled to Moscow in January for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ratcliffe’s reported visit also comes ahead of another planned trip to Russia by a senior U.S. law enforcement official. FBI Director Kash Patel is reportedly preparing to travel to Russia in October.
{Matzav.com}
