CIA chief Ratcliffe warned Moscow not to attack NATO, analysis reveals

CIA Director John Ratcliffe's secret visit to Moscow was far from routine, despite President Trump calling it a semi-routine visit, according to BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner. Ratcliffe flew to the Russian capital on a US military plane and met Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia's foreign spy agency SVR.

Purpose of the mission

US officials told Politico the meeting was primarily intended to warn Russia against escalatory action against the Baltic states. It is the first CIA director visit of this kind since William Burns made a similar trip nearly five years ago, as Russia was preparing to invade Ukraine.

Mounting threats against NATO

Russia has stepped up its rhetoric. A foreign ministry spokeswoman warned Moscow could strike British military targets in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes using British missiles. A drone with explosives found at Leipzig airport was attributed to Russia by security experts.

US intelligence has assessed that President Putin may be planning a limited assault on a NATO ally. Ukraine's long-range drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure have brought the war home to ordinary Russians, intensifying pressure on the Kremlin to respond. Possible Russian moves range from intensified missile attacks on Ukraine to expanded hybrid warfare — cyber attacks, drone incursions and arson at munitions factories — in NATO countries.