CIA director visits Moscow to caution Russia against attacking NATO nations, testing the alliance: reports

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsWorldIsrael & Middle East CIA director visits Moscow to caution Russia against attacking NATO nations, testing the alliance: reports John Ratcliffe also discussed the war with Iran, warning of additional sanctions if the Strait of Hormuz doesn't reopen to shipping traffic Author of the article: AFP Published Aug 26, 2026 Last updated 1 hour ago 2 minute read Join the conversation The flag of the United States of America flutters in the wind on the grounds of the U.S. embassy in Moscow on Tuesday. Reports suggest a high-ranking CIA director visited Moscow this week to urge Russia not to test NATO countries militarily. PHOTO BY IGOR IVANKO /AFP via Getty Images Article content A highly unusual trip by the CIA director to Moscow this week was to warn Russia against any attack on NATO member states, U.S. media reported Wednesday, after President Donald Trump sought to downplay the visit. Article content The Wall Street Journal and CBS News reported CIA Director John Ratcliffe aimed to dissuade Russia from attacking NATO members amid U.S. intelligence assessments that Moscow could seek to test the alliance. Article content Article content Article content The Journal specified that Putin could test the North Atlantic Treaty Organization with a “limited assault” in the next few years. Article content Channel Israel Columnist Jesse Kline keeps you up to date with what’s happening in Israel and the effects of antisemitism on life here in Canada. Friday mornings. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content The White House did not respond to multiple AFP requests for comment on the matter, and Trump said Ratcliffe’s visit to Moscow on Tuesday was “semi-routine,” implying that the intelligence chief was in the Russian capital to discuss the Ukraine war. Article content “He’s there, very sort of semi-routine. I hate to disappoint people. We would like to see the war with Ukraine end,” Trump said in an interview with conservative radio host Glenn Beck. Article content Ratcliffe is one of the highest-ranking U.S. officials to visit Russia since its war with Ukraine started in 2022. Article content John Ratcliffe aimed to dissuade Russia from attacking NATO members amid U.S. intelligence assessments that Moscow could seek…