Reports: CIA Director May Become Key US Negotiator With Russia and Ukraine
The White House is reportedly weighing a bigger role for CIA Director John Ratcliffe in US talks with Russia and Ukraine, potentially reducing the involvement of special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
American officials have told their European counterparts that CIA Director John Ratcliffe is preparing to take on a more active role in US negotiations with Russia and Ukraine. The information, citing sources at the Financial Times, was reported by the outlet Meduza.
According to the sources, the White House is considering scaling back the involvement of presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. The two have recently been leading efforts to negotiate a settlement to the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Sources say Witkoff is likely to keep his post as special envoy and could continue taking part in Russia-Ukraine peace talks alongside Ratcliffe. The two officials are currently competing over who will take the lead on which issues.
Meanwhile, Kushner has reportedly told friends he hopes to shift his focus away from the Russia-Ukraine war toward ending the war in the Gaza Strip and the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Trump has not yet made a final decision. Both the White House and the CIA declined to comment.
Ratcliffe's Moscow Visit
John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow on August 25. Donald Trump described the CIA chief's visit to Russia as routine. Western media have offered various explanations for the trip, ranging from urging the start of peace talks and warning against an attack on NATO countries, to calling for reduced cooperation with Iran.
On September 5 and 6, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner separately held talks with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine. Both sides indicated they might be open to starting trilateral negotiations in the future.
