CIA Director John Ratcliffe flew to Moscow on August 25 for an unannounced eight-hour visit without meeting Vladimir Putin, instead meeting only with the heads of the FSB and SVR. Washington signaled opposition to any military provocation against NATO allies, particularly the Baltic states, and asked Kyiv to pause strikes on Russian territory during the visit. Following the mission, Russia launched a fresh wave of strikes on Ukraine, suggesting the visit may have hardened the Kremlin’s position rather than softened it. The conflict has passed the five-year mark since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, with Western sanctions significantly deteriorating Russia’s economic position.
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