CIA chief in Moscow for unannounced talks, US media reports
Flight tracking data confirms an American military aircraft travelled to Russia from the US via Latvia on Tuesday. The head of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has travelled to Moscow for unannounced talks, the BBC's US news partner CBS has reported. John Ratcliffe reportedly arrived in the Russian capital earlier on Tuesday. Neither Washington or Moscow have confirmed the nature of the visit or who he was due to meet. In-person talks between high-level American and Russian officials are rare. BBC News has contacted the CIA, the White House and Pentagon for comment.
Flight tracking data confirmed a large US military aircraft travelled to Russia from the US via Latvia on Tuesday. Footage posted on social media showed the C-17 transport plane approaching Moscow's Vnukovo international airport. It departed Riga airport at 05:50 GMT and appears to have landed at around 07:04 GMT, according to data from Flight Radar24. Footage on social media also purported to show a diplomatic motorcade travelling through Moscow. Watch: Video shows US military plane on landing approach in Moscow The trip is thought to be Ratcliffe's first trip to Russia as CIA director, although he has maintained contact with his intelligence counterparts in Moscow. He played a role in negotiations for the release of Russian-American citizen Ksenia Karelina's, who was jailed in Russia for over a year after being accused of providing support to Ukraine.
The CIA was also involved in a 2024 prisoner swap deal with Russia that saw the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, as well as former US marine Paul Whelan and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva. The US has had strained relations with Russia since it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since then, Russia has been isolated on the world stage and faced international economic sanctions. Ratcliffe appears to be one of the highest-ranking US officials to visit the country during President Donald Trump's second term. Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Alaska last year but the meeting did not lead to a breakthrough. Subsequent US-led peace talks between Russia and Ukraine appear to have stalled.
โก Effects Interpreter
๐World Economy
- โถEconomies far from the headline can still catch the aftershocks.
- โถMarkets around the world might take their cue from how this story unfolds.
๐๏ธLocal Economy
- โถEveryday costs in your town could drift as the wider economy reacts.
- โถSmall businesses nearby might tweak their prices in the weeks ahead.
๐ฆRates & Banks
- โถYour loan or mortgage rate is more likely to drift than to lurch here.
- โถBanks tend to wait and see before nudging the rates they offer.
โค๏ธHealth
- โถLocal health services could get busier depending on how things develop.
- โถUnsettling news can weigh on sleep and mood, so peace of mind matters.
๐ทWealth
- โถLong-term savers usually ride out these small bumps just fine.
- โถAny hit to your money is more likely a ripple than a wave.
๐ Housing
- โถThe property market tends to move slowly, so expect any change to take time.
- โถMortgage deals could edge around if lenders read the wider mood.