CIA Director Ratcliffe Makes Unannounced Moscow Visit; Ukraine Pauses Strikes on Moscow, St. Petersburg

CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a rare, unannounced trip to Moscow on August 25, flying via U.S. Air Force aircraft from Riga to Vnukovo Airport and departing the same day — his first publicly known visit to Russia since becoming CIA director. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Ratcliffe did not meet President Putin, describing the contacts as occurring 'at the intelligence agencies' level,' and declined further detail. U.S. officials confirmed the trip but would not disclose its substance; analysts said Ukraine, Iran, and Russia's military posture were likely topics. A source told Kyiv Independent the U.S. had asked Ukraine to refrain from striking Moscow and St. Petersburg between August 24 and 26 during the visit, reportedly out of concern that a strike could embarrass Ratcliffe's hosts; Kyiv agreed to the temporary pause.