Report: Putin declined last-minute meeting with CIA chief over Ukraine message

Vladimir Putin reportedly cleared his schedule for possible talks with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, then declined a meeting after learning what Ratcliffe planned to tell Russian officials.

Agentstvo, citing a source, said Putin had initially intended to meet Ratcliffe during the CIA director’s August 25 visit to Moscow. The source said Putin changed course after Ratcliffe’s message was passed to him following one of the CIA chief’s meetings.

Ratcliffe reportedly urged the Russian authorities to reach an agreement as soon as possible to end the war in Ukraine, arguing that Russia’s military and economic position was worsening. The New York Times had previously reported that Ratcliffe delivered a “gloomy assessment of Russia’s position in the war” to Alexander Bortnikov.

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It seemed as if Volodymyr Zelenskyy was already standing on Poklonnaya Hill and watching the Kremlin through binoculars. Everyone understands that this is not the case.

According to Western media reports cited in the account, Ratcliffe met Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia’s foreign intelligence service, and Bortnikov, who leads the Federal Security Service. The official purpose of Ratcliffe’s Moscow visit was not explained.

An Agentstvo source described the Kremlin’s reaction by saying, “It seemed as if Volodymyr Zelenskyy was already standing on Poklonnaya Hill and watching the Kremlin through binoculars. Everyone understands that this is not the case.” The source added, “It seems Ratcliffe confused the address.”

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It seems Ratcliffe confused the address.