CIA Director Ratcliffe arrives in Moscow for undisclosed meetings
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CIA Director John Ratcliffe arrived in Moscow on August 25 for undisclosed meetings, according to CBS News and other US media. His visit coincided with the rare arrival of a US Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III at Vnukovo Airport, though it is not officially confirmed he was aboard. The trip comes amid stalled Russia-Ukraine peace talks and follows a US request for Ukraine to pause strikes on Moscow and St. Petersburg during the visit.
Key Facts
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe arrived in Moscow on August 25, 2026, according to CBS News White House correspondent Jennifer Jacobs and Axios journalist Barak Ravid.
- A US Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, serial 07-7181, landed at Vnukovo Airport around 07:00 GMT on August 25 after flying from Riga, Latvia.
- The C-17 departed Vnukovo less than two hours after the arrival reports, according to Flightradar24 data.
- The US Embassy in Latvia said the C-17 was conducting official US government business, while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said he had no information about the flight.
- The US asked Ukraine to refrain from drone and long-range missile strikes on Moscow, St. Petersburg, and northern Russian regions on August 24-26, and Kyiv agreed, according to Financial Times reporter Christopher Miller.
The Arrival
CIA Director John Ratcliffe arrived in Moscow on August 25 for meetings, according to CBS News White House correspondent Jennifer Jacobs and Axios journalist Barak Ravid. Jacobs reported that Ratcliffe flew aboard a US Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III to conduct meetings in Moscow. Ravid said Ratcliffe departed Washington for Riga on August 23 and flew from the Latvian capital to Moscow on August 25. Flight-tracking data showed the C-17, serial 07-7181 and operating as RCH4555, landing at Vnukovo Airport around 07:00 GMT on August 25. The aircraft departed Vnukovo less than two hours after the arrival reports, according to Flightradar24.
Official Silence
Neither Washington nor Moscow has disclosed the aircraft's passengers or cargo. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said he had no information about the flight. The US Embassy in Latvia said only that the C-17 was conducting official US government business. The CIA declined to comment on Ratcliffe's visit. Russian and American officials have not revealed the participants or agenda of any meetings.
Ukraine Strike Pause
The Trump administration notified Ukraine last week about a high-level delegation's trip to Moscow and asked Kyiv not to strike Moscow, St. Petersburg, and northern Russian regions with drones or long-range missiles on August 24-26. Financial Times chief Ukraine correspondent Christopher Miller reported the request on X, and Kyiv agreed to comply. Barak Ravid and RBC-Ukraine also reported the same information, citing a source. The visit comes amid stalled peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, according to CBS.
18 sources
CIA Director Ratcliffe arrives in Moscow for undisclosed meetings
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