{"id":2115241,"date":"2026-08-26T13:05:18","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T10:05:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2115241"},"modified":"2026-08-26T13:05:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T10:05:18","slug":"what-message-did-the-cia-director-deliver-to-moscow-on-ukraine-nato-or-iran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2115241","title":{"rendered":"What message did the CIA director deliver to Moscow \u2014 on Ukraine, NATO or Iran?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/97\/22\/1200x675_cmsv2_2d26d57e-e0cd-5a5b-966d-3760a4148b4d-9889722.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2921130-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2921130\" data-cid=\"9892037\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921130-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img 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src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/18\/59\/189x106_cmsv2_89bf93eb-3712-510b-9386-db986bdd5a21-9891859.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Migrants who crossed from Morocco into Spain return to a beach after being expelled from the area the previous day, 21 August, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ceuta residents try to block Red Cross aid month after migrant influx\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921112-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2921112\" data-cid=\"9891971\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921112-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/19\/71\/189x106_cmsv2_4ea3f2c1-a145-53a8-942e-b822538a51e0-9891971.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Two men walk past the NATO logo during the NATO Defence Industry Forum at the NATO summit in Ankara, 7 July, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump says Russia is &#8216;not going to attack&#8217; NATO territory\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921130-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2921130\" data-cid=\"9892037\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921130-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/20\/37\/189x106_cmsv2_e2bbce09-981f-51da-b093-476cd304bcfa-9892037.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A soldier with a drone during a press event of the Swiss Army in Elm, 18 May, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Switzerland eyes drone battalion by 2028, defence ministry says\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921124-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2921124\" data-cid=\"9892007\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921124-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/20\/07\/189x106_cmsv2_fea505ce-b474-549f-a106-e2cb941bd309-9892007.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Nepalese policemen watch as earthmovers clear the debris of flash flooding in Nepal&apos;s Nuwakot district, 27 August, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Nepal<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Death toll hits 392 as rescuers search for missing after Nepal floods\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921100-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2921100\" data-cid=\"9891859\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921100-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/18\/59\/189x106_cmsv2_89bf93eb-3712-510b-9386-db986bdd5a21-9891859.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Migrants who crossed from Morocco into Spain return to a beach after being expelled from the area the previous day, 21 August, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ceuta residents try to block Red Cross aid month after migrant influx\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921112-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2921112\" data-cid=\"9891971\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921112-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/19\/71\/189x106_cmsv2_4ea3f2c1-a145-53a8-942e-b822538a51e0-9891971.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Two men walk past the NATO logo during the NATO Defence Industry Forum at the NATO summit in Ankara, 7 July, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump says Russia is &#8216;not going to attack&#8217; NATO territory\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            What message did the CIA director deliver to Moscow \u2014 on Ukraine, NATO or Iran?<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/97\/22\/1536x864_cmsv2_2d26d57e-e0cd-5a5b-966d-3760a4148b4d-9889722.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"FILE - CIA Director John Ratcliffe listens during a Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, March 26, 2026\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              FILE &#8211; CIA Director John Ratcliffe listens during a Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, March 26, 2026<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspSasha Vakulina\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1787749518\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-08-26 15:05:18 +02:00\">26\/08\/2026 &#8211; 15:05 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span 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loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        The Kremlin says John Ratcliffe met Russian intelligence officials but not Vladimir Putin during his surprise visit to Moscow on Tuesday. The secrecy surrounding the trip fuelled speculation that the CIA director was carrying a warning from Washington.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>CIA Director John Ratcliffe\u2019s surprise visit to Moscow on Tuesday sparked speculation about the trip&#8217;s sudden nature and what message Washington considered important enough for the US spy chief to deliver in person.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Kremlin confirmed that Ratcliffe held talks with Russian intelligence officials during his hours-long visit, but said he did not meet Vladimir Putin.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo meetings with Putin were planned,\u201d Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.<\/p>\n<p>Putin was briefed on the outcome of the discussions, according to the Kremlin.<\/p>\n<p>Neither Washington nor Moscow have disclosed what was discussed, leaving the purpose of the unusual visit unclear.<\/p>\n<p>Ratcliffe travelled to the Russian capital on Tuesday in his first known visit to Russia since becoming CIA director, making the journey at a particularly tense moment in Moscow&#8217;s all-out war in Ukraine and amid growing concern over possible Russian escalation against Europe.<\/p>\n<p>But its timing, the precautions surrounding Ratcliffe&#8217;s arrival and his position within the Trump administration prompted speculation that the CIA director was carrying a message considerably more sensitive than those normally handled through diplomatic channels.<\/p>\n<p>The US asked Ukraine not to strike Moscow or St Petersburg while Ratcliffe was in Russia, according to reports citing people familiar with the matter.<\/p>\n<p>Kyiv reportedly learned that a senior US delegation would travel to Russia, but was not initially told that Ratcliffe would be part of it.<\/p>\n<p>The request is significant given Ukraine&#8217;s expanding campaign of long-range strikes inside Russia, including attacks against energy and military infrastructure as well as sites financing the Russian war machine.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/85\/91\/75\/808x539_cmsv2_9068f950-ae4b-5767-98fc-07360b43a2fc-9859175.jpg\" alt=\"FILE - Smoke rises following a Ukrainian drone attack on a warehouse for online retailer Wildberries in St. Petersburg, Russia on Friday, July 24, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE &#8211; Smoke rises following a Ukrainian drone attack on a warehouse for online retailer Wildberries in St. Petersburg, Russia on Friday, July 24, 2026<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><strong>A warning to Moscow?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>One possibility is that Ratcliffe travelled to Moscow to warn of the risk of further Russian escalation.<\/p>\n<p>US intelligence reportedly raised concerns that Moscow could be preparing for further mobilisation not only to sustain its war against Ukraine but also to seek to test NATO&#8217;s resolve through provocations against alliance members.<\/p>\n<p>The visit comes amid growing concern over Russian activity in NATO territory, following a series of suspected sabotage operations and drone incursions in recent months.<\/p>\n<p>The theory draws a striking parallel with the last known visit to Moscow by a CIA director.<\/p>\n<p>William Burns travelled to the Russian capital in November 2021, as Russian forces were massing around Ukraine, to warn the Kremlin against an invasion and spell out the consequences Washington believed would follow.<\/p>\n<p>Despite repeated assurances from Moscow that it had no plans to invade Ukraine, Russia launched its full-scale invasion three months later.<\/p>\n<p>Ratcliffe is also regarded as one of the senior Trump administration officials most supportive of continued US assistance to Ukraine, including intelligence used to support Kyiv&#8217;s long-range operations.<\/p>\n<p>His arrival therefore came at a sensitive moment for both Moscow and Kyiv.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/97\/22\/808x539_cmsv2_0504a1ac-12c0-557d-8e2a-bb6739d1b9b1-9889722.jpg\" alt=\"Donald Trump shakes hands John Ratcliffe as they speak with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, April 6, 2026, in Washington\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Donald Trump shakes hands John Ratcliffe as they speak with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, April 6, 2026, in Washington<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><strong>Ukraine, NATO or Iran?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Ukraine is not the only possible explanation.<\/p>\n<p>The visit also comes amid mounting tensions between Washington and Moscow over Iran, Russia&#8217;s closest partner in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>Russia has been accused of providing Tehran with intelligence on US military assets, while Washington has stepped up economic pressure on Iran in a bid to finish the war it started in late February.<\/p>\n<p>Peskov described contacts between the two intelligence services as positive but said it was too early to judge whether they could improve wider relations between Washington and Moscow.<\/p>\n<p>Ratcliffe&#8217;s visit was sensitive enough to remain unannounced and important enough for the CIA director to travel to Moscow himself, even if only for a few hours.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  CIA director Ratcliffe arrives in Moscow on secret visit, US reports claim<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  European allies back Ukraine as country marks Independence Day without US envoys<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Ukraine launches drone strikes on Russian e-commerce giant Ozon<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Russia&#8217;s invasion of Ukraine<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  CIA<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Russia<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  War in Ukraine<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div 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Syria&#8217;s president pays for coffee with Visa card as sanctions era ends<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">CIA Director John Ratcliffe\u2019s surprise visit to Moscow on Tuesday sparked speculation about the trip&#8217;s sudden nature and what message Washington considered important enough for the US spy chief to deliver in person.The Kremlin confirmed that Ratcliffe held talks with Russian intelligence officials during his hours-long visit, but said he did not meet Vladimir Putin.\u201cNo meetings with Putin were planned,\u201d Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.Putin was briefed on the outcome of the discussions, according to the Kremlin.Neither Washington nor Moscow have disclosed what was discussed, leaving the purpose of the unusual visit unclear.Ratcliffe travelled to the Russian capital on Tuesday in his first known visit to Russia since becoming CIA director, making the journey at a particularly tense moment in Moscow&#8217;s all-out war in Ukraine and amid growing concern over possible Russian escalation against Europe.But its timing, the precautions surrounding Ratcliffe&#8217;s arrival and his position within the Trump administration prompted speculation that the CIA director was carrying a message considerably more sensitive than those normally handled through diplomatic channels.The US asked Ukraine not to strike Moscow or St Petersburg while Ratcliffe was in Russia, according to reports citing people familiar with the matter.Kyiv reportedly learned that a senior US delegation would travel to Russia, but was not initially told that Ratcliffe would be part of it.The request is significant given Ukraine&#8217;s expanding campaign of long-range strikes inside Russia, including attacks against energy and military infrastructure as well as sites financing the Russian war machine.A warning to Moscow?One possibility is that Ratcliffe travelled to Moscow to warn of the risk of further Russian escalation.US intelligence reportedly raised concerns that Moscow could be preparing for further mobilisation not only to sustain its war against Ukraine but also to seek to test NATO&#8217;s resolve through provocations against alliance members.The visit comes amid growing concern over Russian activity in NATO territory, following a series of suspected sabotage operations and drone incursions in recent months.The theory draws a striking parallel with the last known visit to Moscow by a CIA director.William Burns travelled to the Russian capital in November 2021, as Russian forces were massing around Ukraine, to warn the Kremlin against an invasion and spell out the consequences Washington believed would follow.Despite repeated assurances from Moscow that it had no plans to invade Ukraine, Russia launched its full-scale invasion three months later.Ratcliffe is also regarded as one of the senior Trump administration officials most supportive of continued US assistance to Ukraine, including intelligence used to support Kyiv&#8217;s long-range operations.His arrival therefore came at a sensitive moment for both Moscow and Kyiv.Ukraine, NATO or Iran?Ukraine is not the only possible explanation.The visit also comes amid mounting tensions between Washington and Moscow over Iran, Russia&#8217;s closest partner in the Middle East.Russia has been accused of providing Tehran with intelligence on US military assets, while Washington has stepped up economic pressure on Iran in a bid to finish the war it started in late February.Peskov described contacts between the two intelligence services as positive but said it was too early to judge whether they could improve wider relations between Washington and Moscow.Ratcliffe&#8217;s visit was sensitive enough to remain unannounced and important enough for the CIA director to travel to Moscow himself, even if only for a few hours.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/08\/26\/what-message-did-the-cia-director-deliver-to-moscow-on-ukraine-nato-or-iran&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/97\/22\/1200x675_cmsv2_2d26d57e-e0cd-5a5b-966d-3760a4148b4d-9889722.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Switzerland eyes drone battalion by 2028, defence ministry says Nepal Death toll hits 392 as rescuers search for missing after Nepal floods Europe News Ceuta residents try to block Red Cross aid month after migrant influx Europe News Trump says Russia is &#8216;not going to attack&#8217; NATO territory Europe News 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