CIA Chief Warned Russia Against NATO Attacks During Secret Moscow Visit

CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow for a secretive visit aimed at warning Russia against testing NATO member states. Multiple sources familiar with the matter revealed that the trip was prompted by U.S. intelligence assessments indicating Russia could attempt to probe NATO's resolve.

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The purpose of CIA Director John Ratcliffe's visit to Moscow this week was to warn Russia not to attack NATO member states, according to multiple people familiar with the matter, amid U.S. intelligence assessments that Russia could try to test NATO.

During his visit, Ratcliffe also raised concerns about Iran, conveying that additional sanctions would be imposed if shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is not restored. The secretive nature of the trip became apparent after a U.S. Air Force jet was observed landing at a Moscow airport, followed by a diplomatic motorcade moving through the city.

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Ratcliffe also brought up Iran, warning of additional sanctions if the Strait of Hormuz does not reopen to shipping traffic, the people familiar with the matter told CBS News.

Ukraine was reportedly informed of the U.S. delegation's travel to Moscow and was asked to refrain from conducting strikes during the visit. While the CIA declined to comment on the specifics of Ratcliffe's trip, President Trump confirmed the visit, describing it as "semi-routine" and unrelated to Iran or NATO tests, though he suggested "something may come out of" the visit regarding his efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

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Ukraine was told that a U.S. delegation would travel to Moscow and was asked to hold off on strikes for the duration of the visit, according to a senior Ukrainian official.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Ratcliffe met with Russian intelligence officials but not President Vladimir Putin. Recent U.S. intelligence assessments suggest that Putin might authorize provocative actions on NATO territory, such as cyberattacks or hybrid operations, not necessarily to start a war, but to test the alliance's unity and the Trump administration's commitment to its allies. Concerns have been amplified by recent Russian actions, including drone incursions into Romania and a missile crossing into Poland.

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President Trump confirmed the visit to Moscow in an interview with radio host Glenn Beck earlier Wednesday, but said it wasn't related to Iran or to Russian desires to test NATO, describing it as a "semi-routine" trip.