{"id":2117754,"date":"2026-08-28T13:15:22","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T10:15:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2117754"},"modified":"2026-08-28T13:15:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T10:15:22","slug":"are-the-baltics-safe-cia-directors-moscow-trip-raises-more-questions-than-answers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2117754","title":{"rendered":"Are the Baltics safe? CIA director&#8217;s Moscow trip raises more questions than answers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/25\/97\/1200x675_cmsv2_5864fa77-8dfb-500a-92f7-a903be307b43-9892597.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2921053-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2921053\" data-cid=\"9893710\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921053-label-pos1-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\/15\/73\/189x106_cmsv2_9c800d4c-ad33-5a46-b9fd-3d1df39106ac-9891573.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Titlis Glacier in Switzerland, archive\" 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>    Nepal flood highlights growing risk of glacier disasters in the Alps\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921138-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2921138\" data-cid=\"9892071\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921138-label-pos2-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\/20\/71\/189x106_cmsv2_4349c409-57c6-557d-af32-f5d9043319ca-9892071.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Homer Valley \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hollywood&#8217;s &#8216;Odyssey&#8217; craze turns eyes to Turkey: Did Homer compose his epics in an Izmir cave?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921465-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2921465\" data-cid=\"9893723\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921465-label-pos3-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\/36\/90\/189x106_cmsv2_8ea189fb-c8c1-58c5-9f84-e794ee3431b3-9893690.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Schakal wheeled infantry fighting vehicle\" 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>    Bundeswehr expands &#8216;Schakal&#8217; fleet for NATO&#8217;s eastern flank\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921464-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2921464\" data-cid=\"9893689\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921464-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\/36\/89\/189x106_cmsv2_1a3ee2ba-6cf0-5d4c-aa3d-5188bbd1d2c7-9893689.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Firefighters try to extinguish a fire at a destroyed warehouse after Russian drone attacks on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Aug. 28, 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>    At least 27 killed in Russian strike on warehouse in Bucha\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921053-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2921053\" data-cid=\"9893710\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921053-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\/15\/73\/189x106_cmsv2_9c800d4c-ad33-5a46-b9fd-3d1df39106ac-9891573.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Titlis Glacier in Switzerland, archive\" 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>    Nepal flood highlights growing risk of glacier disasters in the Alps\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921138-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2921138\" data-cid=\"9892071\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921138-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\/71\/189x106_cmsv2_4349c409-57c6-557d-af32-f5d9043319ca-9892071.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Homer Valley \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hollywood&#8217;s &#8216;Odyssey&#8217; craze turns eyes to Turkey: Did Homer compose his epics in an Izmir cave?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921465-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2921465\" data-cid=\"9893723\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921465-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\/36\/90\/189x106_cmsv2_8ea189fb-c8c1-58c5-9f84-e794ee3431b3-9893690.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Schakal wheeled infantry fighting vehicle\" 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>    Bundeswehr expands &#8216;Schakal&#8217; fleet for NATO&#8217;s eastern flank\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921464-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2921464\" data-cid=\"9893689\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921464-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\/36\/89\/189x106_cmsv2_1a3ee2ba-6cf0-5d4c-aa3d-5188bbd1d2c7-9893689.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Firefighters try to extinguish a fire at a destroyed warehouse after Russian drone attacks on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Aug. 28, 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>    At least 27 killed in Russian strike on warehouse in Bucha\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                            Are the Baltics safe? CIA director&#8217;s Moscow trip raises more questions than answers<\/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\/89\/25\/97\/1536x864_cmsv2_5864fa77-8dfb-500a-92f7-a903be307b43-9892597.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"FILE: CIA Director John Ratcliffe arrives to speak with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Monday, April 6, 2026, in Washington.\"><\/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: CIA Director John Ratcliffe arrives to speak with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Monday, April 6, 2026, in Washington.<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=\"1787922922\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-08-28 15:15:22 +02:00\">28\/08\/2026 &#8211; 15:15 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time 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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        A rare CIA mission to Moscow has fuelled fears of a possible Russian test of NATO. Baltic officials insist their threat assessments have not changed, but are their reassurances mostly intended to keep public anxiety in check?<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>If CIA Director John Ratcliffe\u2019s secret trip to Moscow was intended to calm fears of a confrontation between Russia and NATO, it appears to have achieved almost the opposite.<\/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>His sudden arrival in the Russian capital this week triggered days of speculation over what intelligence could have prompted Washington to dispatch its spy chief to deliver a message to Moscow and whether the Baltic states should be worried.<\/p>\n<p>US media reported that Ratcliffe warned Russia against attacking NATO members, particularly Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, amid intelligence assessments that Moscow could seek to test the alliance as its war in Ukraine remains deadlocked.<\/p>\n<p>American thinktank the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said the circumstances of the visit suggest Washington regarded the intelligence behind it as sufficiently urgent and sensitive to justify Ratcliffe travelling to Moscow in person.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUS Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe\u2019s visit to Moscow suggests that Russia may be preparing to conduct an act of aggression against a NATO member in the relatively near term to invalidate NATO\u2019s Article 5,\u201d ISW said.<\/p>\n<p>But the Washington-based organisation also drew an important distinction: there are no signs of the kind of large-scale Russian military build-up around the Baltic states that preceded the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, it said, any near-term Russian action could be considerably more limited: an air, missile or drone strike, or a small land incursion designed not to seize large amounts of territory but to test whether NATO allies would respond collectively under Article 5.<\/p>\n<p>Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves questioned whether the Baltic states were the reason for Ratcliffe\u2019s trip at all.<\/p>\n<p>In an exclusive interview with Euronews, Ilves said he had \u201csevere doubts\u201d that concerns over the Baltic states were behind the CIA director\u2019s mission, arguing that Washington\u2019s more immediate concern was Russia\u2019s support for Iran.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat is the real problem for the United States right now? The real problem is Iran, the fact that the Russians are giving targeting information to the Iranians,\u201d Ilves said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\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\/89\/25\/97\/808x454_cmsv2_4071f626-d11e-5e63-af40-5b3205c3482f-9892597.jpg\" alt=\"FILE: A poster with an image of Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen on the wall of the Narva Castle opposite Russian border, in Narva, Estonia, Tuesday, May 9, 2023.\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: A poster with an image of Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen on the wall of the Narva Castle opposite Russian border, in Narva, Estonia, Tuesday, May 9, 2023.<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>He was equally sceptical about suggestions of an increased Russian military threat to the Baltic states, dismissing them as \u201call spin.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhy would they do anything in the Baltic states at this time?\u201d he said, arguing that Moscow had little reason to risk a confrontation with NATO while its war in Ukraine remained deadlocked.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Concern in European military circles<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>A European military source told Euronews that intelligence agencies have been picking up signals for months suggesting that Moscow could seek to exploit the Trump administration\u2019s changing approach to its European NATO allies to launch another attack in the region, as Washington pushes Europe to assume greater responsibility for its own defence.<\/p>\n<p>The source cautioned that this did not amount to evidence that Russia has taken a decision to act. But the concern, they said, was that a distracted Washington, combined with the shift in responsibility towards Europe, could present Moscow with a window of opportunity.<\/p>\n<p>Seen through this lens, Ratcliffe\u2019s trip could have been intended to remove any doubt in Moscow about the consequences of testing NATO at a time when Washington is both heavily preoccupied elsewhere and redefining its role in European defence.<\/p>\n<p>The source described Ratcliffe as one of the Trump administration\u2019s strongest supporters of NATO, Europe and Ukraine, but doubted that Putin would heed his warning. The timing itself may be part of those calculations.<\/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\/89\/25\/97\/808x539_cmsv2_f8998377-3aac-54a9-ae76-b117a6d03227-9892597.jpg\" alt=\"FILE:An Airbus Tiger multi-role attack helicopter flies during a multinational military Exercise Pikne (&quot;Lightning&quot;) near Suurekivi, Estonia, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. \"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE:An Airbus Tiger multi-role attack helicopter flies during a multinational military Exercise Pikne (&#8220;Lightning&#8221;) near Suurekivi, Estonia, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. <\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The source stressed that the Baltic states, particularly Estonia and Lithuania, are considerably better prepared for a potential confrontation with Russia than much of the rest of Europe.<\/p>\n<p>As Europe strengthens its defences, it raises another strategic question: if Moscow is considering testing NATO, why wait until the continent is better prepared and a new US administration that might be more committed to its defence?<\/p>\n<h2>A painful memory of 2021<\/h2>\n<p>Nearly five years ago, Ratcliffe\u2019s predecessor, William Burns, travelled to Moscow with a warning. When he arrived in November 2021, Russia was already months into a large and increasingly visible military build-up around Ukraine. Less than four months later Russia launched its full-scale invasion.<\/p>\n<p>A European military source drew an uncomfortable parallel between the two missions. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is good that the CIA director went to Moscow to deliver a warning,&#8221; the source told Euronews. \u201cNot that Putin will listen.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But there is a crucial difference between the two cases. No comparable Russian build-up is visible around the Baltic states today. A Russian attempt to test NATO, however, would not necessarily require one.<\/p>\n<p>A more limited operation could require little of the visible military preparation that preceded the invasion of Ukraine. If the objective is to test NATO rather than seize territory, ambiguity could be the point.<\/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\/89\/25\/97\/808x539_cmsv2_abefb590-27ce-590c-938e-5581a5b4d3a9-9892597.jpg\" alt=\"FILE: Vladimir Putin arrives at a wreath-laying ceremony marking the 85th anniversary of the Nazi German invasion into Soviet Union in World War II, Moscow, June 22, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: Vladimir Putin arrives at a wreath-laying ceremony marking the 85th anniversary of the Nazi German invasion into Soviet Union in World War II, Moscow, June 22, 2026.<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><strong>\u2018Our threat assessment has not changed\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Officials in the Baltic states have spent the days since Ratcliffe\u2019s visit trying to dampen fears that another 2021 may be unfolding on NATO\u2019s eastern flank.<\/p>\n<p>Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said the possibility of Russian provocations against NATO must be taken seriously, but insisted that Estonia\u2019s threat assessment had not changed.<\/p>\n<p>Latvian officials similarly said their assessment of the conventional military threat remained unchanged and the risk of a Russian invasion was low.<\/p>\n<p>Yet public reassurance has been accompanied by calls for considerably greater preparedness.<\/p>\n<p>Five European Commissioners from countries on the EU\u2019s eastern flank have urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take additional measures in response to what they described as mounting security challenges in the region.<\/p>\n<p>Their proposals include appointing a high-level coordinator for the eastern flank, strengthening regional stockpiles and civil preparedness, improving the protection of critical infrastructure and accelerating the EU\u2019s Eastern Flank Watch initiative against hybrid threats.<\/p>\n<p>Baltic officials may see no evidence of an imminent conventional invasion, yet preparations continue for sabotage, drone incursions, hybrid operations and more limited Russian military provocations \u2014 many of which the region has already faced.<\/p>\n<h2>From Kyiv\u2019s concerns to Washington\u2019s warning<\/h2>\n<p>In April, Ukraine&#8217;s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russian preparations could point to further mobilisation and a possible offensive either against Ukraine or the Baltic states.<\/p>\n<p>Estonia publicly pushed back. Tsahkna said the warning did not correspond with Estonian intelligence or Tallinn\u2019s own assessment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe do not see Russia concentrating its forces or preparing in any way militarily to attack NATO or the Baltic states,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>By July, however, Lithuania and Latvia were themselves warning about the possibility of more limited Russian action.<\/p>\n<p>Lithuanian President Gitanas Naus\u0117da said intelligence indicated Russia could be planning limited attacks on critical infrastructure, including energy and transport facilities, while Latvian President Edgars Rink\u0113vi\u010ds warned that Moscow could seek to test NATO\u2019s Article 5 commitment without launching a full-scale invasion.<\/p>\n<p>A week ago during a summit in Kyiv, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said there was no direct conventional Russian threat to the Baltic or Nordic states.<\/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>                  Eastern Flank Commissioners urge von der Leyen to appoint special coordinator as Russian threat grows<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  CIA boss Moscow trip was about Iran, not the Baltics, ex-Estonian president tells Euronews<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Nepal flood highlights growing risk of glacier disasters in the Alps<\/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  Baltic countries<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 id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2921258-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921258\" data-cid=\"9892639\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921258-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/26\/39\/320x180_cmsv2_d2683eba-33a2-5c6c-9105-d05dc7063306-9892639.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"An &quot;Afram Island&quot; 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(&quot;Forward, Iceland&quot;) rally, opposing the resumption of EU accession talks, in Reykjavik.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iceland goes to the polls in high-stakes EU referendum<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921446-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921446\" data-cid=\"9893646\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921446-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/36\/46\/320x180_cmsv2_6196c225-b22b-5c57-b455-925ac3fe845d-9893646.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"President Donald Trump gives a thumbs up after arriving on Air Force One, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    US and Venezuela strike huge oil deal<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921401-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921401\" data-cid=\"9893497\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921401-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/34\/97\/320x180_cmsv2_c4700f6d-725d-5d15-871c-2e627e7f61ce-9893497.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Residents salvage their belongings from damaged houses after flash flooding in the Devighat area of Nuwakot district in Nepal, 28 August, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Number of missing in Nepal floods rises to nearly 3,000<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921464-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921464\" data-cid=\"9893689\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921464-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/36\/89\/320x180_cmsv2_1a3ee2ba-6cf0-5d4c-aa3d-5188bbd1d2c7-9893689.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Firefighters try to extinguish a fire at a destroyed warehouse after Russian drone attacks on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    At least 27 killed in Russian strike on warehouse in Bucha<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921465-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921465\" data-cid=\"9893723\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921465-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/36\/90\/320x180_cmsv2_8ea189fb-c8c1-58c5-9f84-e794ee3431b3-9893690.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Schakal wheeled infantry fighting vehicle\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Bundeswehr expands &#8216;Schakal&#8217; fleet for NATO&#8217;s eastern flank<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921232-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921232\" data-cid=\"9893458\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ceuta &#8216;on the brink of collapse&#8217; as Spain seeks Frontex support<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921322-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921322\" data-cid=\"9892933\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    \u2018Disgusting\u2019: Donald Trump faces backlash for posting AI image of him and Dolly Parton<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921342-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921342\" data-cid=\"9893355\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    C\u00e9line Dion concerts: Canadian star returns to Paris after six years away from the stage<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921098-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921098\" data-cid=\"9891879\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Chinese imports plunge 30% to 40% after EU tax on small parcels<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921236-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921236\" data-cid=\"9892527\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Greek F-16s intercept Turkish drone over northern Aegean<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">If CIA Director John Ratcliffe\u2019s secret trip to Moscow was intended to calm fears of a confrontation between Russia and NATO, it appears to have achieved almost the opposite.His sudden arrival in the Russian capital this week triggered days of speculation over what intelligence could have prompted Washington to dispatch its spy chief to deliver a message to Moscow and whether the Baltic states should be worried.US media reported that Ratcliffe warned Russia against attacking NATO members, particularly Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, amid intelligence assessments that Moscow could seek to test the alliance as its war in Ukraine remains deadlocked.American thinktank the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said the circumstances of the visit suggest Washington regarded the intelligence behind it as sufficiently urgent and sensitive to justify Ratcliffe travelling to Moscow in person.\u201cUS Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe\u2019s visit to Moscow suggests that Russia may be preparing to conduct an act of aggression against a NATO member in the relatively near term to invalidate NATO\u2019s Article 5,\u201d ISW said.But the Washington-based organisation also drew an important distinction: there are no signs of the kind of large-scale Russian military build-up around the Baltic states that preceded the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.Instead, it said, any near-term Russian action could be considerably more limited: an air, missile or drone strike, or a small land incursion designed not to seize large amounts of territory but to test whether NATO allies would respond collectively under Article 5.Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves questioned whether the Baltic states were the reason for Ratcliffe\u2019s trip at all.In an exclusive interview with Euronews, Ilves said he had \u201csevere doubts\u201d that concerns over the Baltic states were behind the CIA director\u2019s mission, arguing that Washington\u2019s more immediate concern was Russia\u2019s support for Iran.\u201cWhat is the real problem for the United States right now? The real problem is Iran, the fact that the Russians are giving targeting information to the Iranians,\u201d Ilves said.He was equally sceptical about suggestions of an increased Russian military threat to the Baltic states, dismissing them as \u201call spin.\u201d\u201cWhy would they do anything in the Baltic states at this time?\u201d he said, arguing that Moscow had little reason to risk a confrontation with NATO while its war in Ukraine remained deadlocked.Concern in European military circlesA European military source told Euronews that intelligence agencies have been picking up signals for months suggesting that Moscow could seek to exploit the Trump administration\u2019s changing approach to its European NATO allies to launch another attack in the region, as Washington pushes Europe to assume greater responsibility for its own defence.The source cautioned that this did not amount to evidence that Russia has taken a decision to act. But the concern, they said, was that a distracted Washington, combined with the shift in responsibility towards Europe, could present Moscow with a window of opportunity.Seen through this lens, Ratcliffe\u2019s trip could have been intended to remove any doubt in Moscow about the consequences of testing NATO at a time when Washington is both heavily preoccupied elsewhere and redefining its role in European defence.The source described Ratcliffe as one of the Trump administration\u2019s strongest supporters of NATO, Europe and Ukraine, but doubted that Putin would heed his warning. The timing itself may be part of those calculations.The source stressed that the Baltic states, particularly Estonia and Lithuania, are considerably better prepared for a potential confrontation with Russia than much of the rest of Europe.As Europe strengthens its defences, it raises another strategic question: if Moscow is considering testing NATO, why wait until the continent is better prepared and a new US administration that might be more committed to its defence?A painful memory of 2021Nearly five years ago, Ratcliffe\u2019s predecessor, William Burns, travelled to Moscow with a warning. When he arrived in November 2021, Russia was already months into a large and increasingly visible military build-up around Ukraine. Less than four months later Russia launched its full-scale invasion.A European military source drew an uncomfortable parallel between the two missions.\u201cIt is good that the CIA director went to Moscow to deliver a warning,&#8221; the source told Euronews. \u201cNot that Putin will listen.\u201dBut there is a crucial difference between the two cases. No comparable Russian build-up is visible around the Baltic states today. A Russian attempt to test NATO, however, would not necessarily require one.A more limited operation could require little of the visible military preparation that preceded the invasion of Ukraine. If the objective is to test NATO rather than seize territory, ambiguity could be the point.\u2018Our threat assessment has not changed\u2019Officials in the Baltic states have spent the days since Ratcliffe\u2019s visit trying to dampen fears that another 2021 may be unfolding on NATO\u2019s eastern flank.Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said the possibility of Russian provocations against NATO must be taken seriously, but insisted that Estonia\u2019s threat assessment had not changed.Latvian officials similarly said their assessment of the conventional military threat remained unchanged and the risk of a Russian invasion was low.Yet public reassurance has been accompanied by calls for considerably greater preparedness.Five European Commissioners from countries on the EU\u2019s eastern flank have urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take additional measures in response to what they described as mounting security challenges in the region.Their proposals include appointing a high-level coordinator for the eastern flank, strengthening regional stockpiles and civil preparedness, improving the protection of critical infrastructure and accelerating the EU\u2019s Eastern Flank Watch initiative against hybrid threats.Baltic officials may see no evidence of an imminent conventional invasion, yet preparations continue for sabotage, drone incursions, hybrid operations and more limited Russian military provocations \u2014 many of which the region has already faced.From Kyiv\u2019s concerns to Washington\u2019s warningIn April, Ukraine&#8217;s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russian preparations could point to further mobilisation and a possible offensive either against Ukraine or the Baltic states.Estonia publicly pushed back. Tsahkna said the warning did not correspond with Estonian intelligence or Tallinn\u2019s own assessment.\u201cWe do not see Russia concentrating its forces or preparing in any way militarily to attack NATO or the Baltic states,\u201d he said.By July, however, Lithuania and Latvia were themselves warning about the possibility of more limited Russian action.Lithuanian President Gitanas Naus\u0117da said intelligence indicated Russia could be planning limited attacks on critical infrastructure, including energy and transport facilities, while Latvian President Edgars Rink\u0113vi\u010ds warned that Moscow could seek to test NATO\u2019s Article 5 commitment without launching a full-scale invasion.A week ago during a summit in Kyiv, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said there was no direct conventional Russian threat to the Baltic or Nordic states.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/08\/28\/are-the-baltics-safe-cia-directors-moscow-trip-raises-more-questions-than-answers&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/25\/97\/1200x675_cmsv2_5864fa77-8dfb-500a-92f7-a903be307b43-9892597.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Nepal flood highlights growing risk of glacier disasters in the Alps Culture news Hollywood&#8217;s &#8216;Odyssey&#8217; craze turns eyes to Turkey: Did Homer compose his epics in an Izmir cave? Europe News Bundeswehr expands &#8216;Schakal&#8217; fleet for NATO&#8217;s eastern flank Europe News At least 27 killed in Russian strike on warehouse [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2117754","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2117754","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2117754"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2117754\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2117754"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2117754"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2117754"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}