NYT: CIA chief gave 'grim assessment' of Russia's position in Moscow
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CIA Director John Ratcliffe gave a 'grim assessment' of Russia's position in the Ukraine war to FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov during an August 25 visit to Moscow, The New York Times reported Thursday. Ratcliffe urged Moscow to begin negotiations before military and economic conditions worsen further.
Key Facts
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov in Moscow on August 25.
- Ratcliffe told Bortnikov that Russia has captured only about 1% of Ukrainian territory over the past 18 months.
- Ratcliffe said in July that the life expectancy of a Russian soldier on the front line does not exceed 35 minutes.
- The Washington Post reported that Ratcliffe's visit was related to 'contacts between intelligence services'.
- Politico reported that the visit's primary purpose was to convey a message about the inadmissibility of attacks on NATO allies, including Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
The Moscow Meeting
CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov in Moscow on August 25. The New York Times reported the meeting on Thursday, citing current and former American officials. Ratcliffe conveyed a 'grim assessment' of Russia's position in the Ukraine war and urged negotiations before conditions worsen. Some sources told the newspaper that Bortnikov was chosen as an intermediary because President Vladimir Putin, a former intelligence officer, would find information from the CIA director more credible than standard diplomatic channels. The NYT also reported that the communication channel between Ratcliffe and Bortnikov operates independently of other channels.
Ratcliffe's Message
The NYT did not disclose the full content of Ratcliffe's message to Bortnikov. The message 'echoed some public statements' by the CIA director, according to the newspaper. In July, Ratcliffe said Russia had captured only about 1% of Ukrainian territory over the past 18 months, attributing this to Ukraine's successful development of drone capabilities. He also stated that the life expectancy of a Russian soldier on the front line does not exceed 35 minutes. Ratcliffe did not issue threats about consequences if Putin ignored the US message and continued hostilities.
Visit Purpose Disputed
Ratcliffe arrived in Russia aboard a US Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III on August 25 and left hours later. The Washington Post reported that the visit was related to 'contacts between intelligence services'. Politico, citing three sources, said the visit's primary purpose was to convey a message about the inadmissibility of attacks on NATO allies, specifically Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Ratcliffe did not meet with President Putin. SVR chief Sergei Naryshkin confirmed his meeting with Ratcliffe, calling it 'nothing unusual', and President Donald Trump described the trip as 'routine', noting Ratcliffe meets with Naryshkin 'every six months or once a year'.
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NYT: CIA chief gave 'grim assessment' of Russia's position in Moscow
