CIA Chief Proposed Trump-Putin-Zelensky Summit in Moscow
Director of the CIA John Ratcliffe proposed a three-way summit between Trump, Putin, and Zelensky during a secret visit to Moscow, aiming to restart peace talks between Russia and Ukraine with U.S. mediation. He met with Russian intelligence chiefs Sergei Naryshkin and Alexander Bortnikov, concluding that Bortnikov could be a constructive partner.
Consensus
- John Ratcliffe, Director of the CIA, made a secret visit to Moscow on August 25.
- During the visit, he met with Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), and Alexander Bortnikov, head of Russia's FSB.
- Ratcliffe proposed a three-way summit involving Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Volodymyr Zelensky to facilitate peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
- The goal of the visit was to assess whether Russian intelligence leaders could help persuade Putin to resume negotiations with Ukraine.
- Ratcliffe concluded that Bortnikov is a 'constructive player' who could assist in restarting diplomatic efforts.
- U.S. officials informed Zelensky about the meetings and the proposal, and Zelensky had previously supported the idea.
- Putin reportedly rejected the proposal.
- The visit was not officially announced, and Putin did not meet with Ratcliffe directly.
Points of divergence
- Dmitry Peskov confirmed that contacts between intelligence services occurred, and that Putin was briefed on the results, but Putin did not meet Ratcliffe. — fontanka
- The meeting included additional Russian officials: Ivan Tkachev (head of the Military Counterintelligence Department of the FSB) and Alexey Komkov (head of the Service for Operational Information and International Relations of the FSB). — tg_istories_media
- The Wall Street Journal and CBS News reported that Ratcliffe warned Russia against attacking NATO countries, particularly Baltic states, and discussed Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. — fontanka
- The New York Times reported that Ratcliffe gave Bortnikov a 'grim assessment' of Russia's military and economic situation and urged Russia to negotiate before it was too late. — tg_bbcrussian
- The Wall Street Journal and Politico reported that Ratcliffe came to warn Putin about potential NATO attacks, particularly on Baltic states, and emphasized U.S. commitment to Article 5 of the NATO treaty. — tg_istories_media
- The New York Times reported that Ratcliffe shared a 'gloomy assessment' of Russia’s army and economy with Bortnikov and urged a deal before it was too late. — tg_moscowtimes_ru
- Ratcliffe did not meet with Putin, so he relayed assessments to Bortnikov instead. — tg_istories_media
- The CIA declined to comment on the trip. — tvrain
- The CIA did not provide any comment on the trip. — tg_tvrain
- One of the goals was to explore whether Russian intelligence could help persuade Putin to restart talks with Kyiv. — thebell
- Ratcliffe shared a 'gloomy evaluation' of Russia’s war situation with Bortnikov and said Moscow should enter serious negotiations. — tg_radiosvoboda
- The New York Times reported that Ratcliffe delivered a 'grim assessment' of the war situation to Bortnikov. — tg_bbcrussian
Coverage (15 sources)
- CIA Director Proposed Summit of Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy During Visit to Moscow CIA Director John Ratcliffe in... — Дождь (Telegram)
- CIA Director Proposed Three-Side Meeting of Putin, Zelenskyy, and Trump — Axios — The Bell
- CIA Director in Moscow Visit Proposed Three-Side Summit of Trump, Putin, and Zelensky — The Moscow Times
- CIA Director in Moscow Visit Proposed Meeting of Three Leaders – Axios — Радио Свобода
- CIA Director in Moscow Proposed Meeting of Putin, Trump, and Zelensky — Axios — Фонтанка
- CIA Director Proposed Meeting with Putin, Zelensky, and Trump. Intelligence Chief Discussed This with Heads of Power Agencies in Moscow— Axios — Важные истории
- Axios: Ratcliffe in Moscow proposed summit with Trump, Zelensky, and Putin — BBC News Русская служба
- CIA Director Proposed Summit of Trump, Putin and Zelensky During Visit to Moscow — Дождь (Telegram)
- CIA Director Proposed Summit of Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy During Visit to Moscow — Axios — Дождь
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe proposed a three-sided meeting with the Russian side during a recent visit to Moscow — Varlamov News
- Axios: CIA director during visit to Moscow proposed meeting Trump, Putin and Zelensky — Meduza
- CIA Director During Visit to Moscow Proposed Holding Summit of Trump, Putin, and Zelensky — Axios — Новая газета Европа
- CIA Director in Moscow Proposed Three-Side Summit with Trump, Putin and Zelensky - Axios — DW Главное
- Axios: Ratcliffe in Moscow proposed meeting Putin, Trump and Zelenskyy — Вечерняя Москва
- Ratcliffe during visit to Russia proposed idea of Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy summit — Интерфакс
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