CIA Chief Proposed Trump-Zelensky-Putin Meeting During Moscow Visit Axios

(MENAFN- UkrinForm) Axios reported this, citing sources, according to Ukrinform.

The report said this was the first time Ratcliffe had personally become involved in diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a breakthrough in relations between Russia and Ukraine.

According to the sources, Ratcliffe's visit was partly aimed at determining whether Russian intelligence chiefs could help convince Putin to move toward resuming negotiations with Ukraine mediated by the United States.

On Friday, U.S. officials briefed Zelensky on Ratcliffe's talks in Moscow and the possibility of holding a trilateral meeting, the report said.

The Trump administration had previously put forward the idea. Zelensky supported it, but Putin rejected it, according to Axios.

The sources also said U.S. officials told Zelensky that Ratcliffe had discussed the possibility of resuming peace talks in Moscow.

During his trip to Moscow, Ratcliffe met with Sergei Naryshkin, director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, and Alexander Bortnikov, head of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).

The sources said Ratcliffe concluded that Bortnikov was a constructive interlocutor who could help revive diplomatic efforts.

The CIA declined to comment to Axios.

Read also: CIA Director gives Kremlin intelligence on Russian losses that Putin not being told - NY

As reported by Ukrinform, CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow on August 24 on an unannounced trip.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said the U.S. side had informed Ukrainian officials about the recent meetings in Moscow and that the United States was promoting a realistic vision of what needs to be done.

Photo: The New York Times

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