Trump Confirms CIA Director's Moscow Trip, Downplays It as 'Semi-Routine'

U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he had sent CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Moscow the previous day, saying he hopes the unannounced trip might help move toward ending the war in Ukraine.

Speaking by phone with conservative radio host Glenn Beck, Trump said "something may come out of it" and that his administration is "working very hard" to bring the war to a close. His remarks confirmed earlier reports that Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow on Tuesday for a series of meetings — marking the first visit to Russia by a sitting CIA director since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The Kremlin later confirmed the visit as well, describing it as taking place within the framework of "contacts between security services." No further details were provided, though the Kremlin made clear that Ratcliffe did not meet with President Vladimir Putin.

Trump dismisses speculation

When Beck pressed Trump on theories circulating about the purpose of the trip — including suggestions it was meant to warn Moscow against testing NATO's resolve, or that it involved talks on Iran-related sanctions — Trump replied, "None of the above." He added that he didn't want to disappoint people, describing the visit instead as "sort of semi-routine," a characterization apparently meant to lower expectations.

Trump has repeatedly pledged to end Russia's war against Ukraine but has so far failed to bring Moscow and Kyiv closer to a compromise. Russian officials have said in recent weeks that they also expect visits from U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as part of efforts to broker peace with Ukraine.

"We would like to see the war with Ukraine end," Trump told Beck, adding that both Russia and Ukraine now appear to want the conflict to conclude.