Former senior US intelligence official: Kremlin receives a highly telling message

The choice of envoy itself sends a message to the Kremlin, according to former senior US intelligence official David Cattleris. He said the decision by the US president to send CIA Director John Ratcliffe to meet with the other country's government is highly significant.

“It is very telling that the CIA director is personally sent to meet with another country's government, especially at such a high level,” Cattleris told Delfi in an interview about Ratcliffe's visit to Moscow.

Cattleris formerly led the US Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency and served as NATO deputy secretary general for intelligence and security affairs. He said Washington's decision to send Ratcliffe, rather than another representative, reflects the gravity of the situation.

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It is very telling that the CIA director is personally sent to meet with another country's government, especially at such a high level, and that the United States chose to send CIA Director John Ratcliffe.