CIA Director John Ratcliffe made secret Moscow trip amid NATO fears
What's new: Trump cast the visit as part of a push to end the Ukraine war, while the Kremlin said Ratcliffe did not meet Putin.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled quietly to Moscow this week, drawing scrutiny after reports that the trip was tied to US warnings against any Russian move against a NATO member. The Wall Street Journal reported Ratcliffe went to Russia on Monday night to caution the Kremlin over possible escalation. President Donald Trump rejected that account and said the mission was aimed at helping end the war in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Ratcliffe was in Russia on intelligence business, did not meet President Vladimir Putin, and held positive talks with Russian officials. The visit came as US intelligence assessments raised concern that Russia could test NATO with a limited cyberattack or small military incursion.