**U.S. President Confirms CIA Director’s Visit to Moscow, Calls It “Semi‑Routine”**
Washington – President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow on Tuesday, describing the unannounced trip as “sort of semi‑routine” and expressing hope that it could contribute to ending the war in Ukraine.
In a telephone interview with conservative radio host Glenn Beck, Trump said, “Something may come out of it. We’re working very hard to get that war ended.” He added that both Russia and Ukraine “want to see it ended at this point.”
The Kremlin later acknowledged Ratcliffe’s presence in Moscow, stating that he arrived for “contacts between security services.” The Russian government did not provide further details and noted that Ratcliffe did not meet with President Vladimir Putin.
When Beck asked the president to comment on speculation that the visit might involve warnings to the Kremlin about NATO, discussions on Iranian sanctions, or other diplomatic messages, Trump replied, “None of the above,” and emphasized that expectations should be tempered.
According to sources cited by *The Wall Street Journal*, Ratcliffe’s mission was to deliver a warning to Russia not to attack NATO, amid concerns that some alliance members are experiencing shortages of munitions. The report did not specify whether any formal warning was conveyed.
Russian officials have indicated that they anticipate visits from U.S. special envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as part of ongoing efforts to mediate a peace settlement in Ukraine.
The information about the CIA director’s trip was originally reported by *The Moscow Times*, which has recently been designated an “undesirable” organization by Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office, a status that criminalizes its operations within the country. The outlet noted that the designation follows earlier labeling as a “foreign agent” and expressed concerns about the impact on independent journalism in Russia.
Article and image source: themoscowtimes.com
