Lavrov comments on CIA Director Ratcliffe's visit to Moscow

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made assessments regarding the visit of US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe to Moscow on August 25. Lavrov stated that contacts between intelligence services are conducted within the framework of their own rules, noting that there was nothing unusual about the meeting.

Speaking to RBK, Lavrov addressed claims in the American press, saying, "You know, I was not there. As is the case all over the world, we have rules under which special services interact with each other. There is nothing unusual about this, and there is nothing surprising about them conducting these activities in silence."

Lavrov emphasized that it is standard practice not to disclose sensitive details of diplomacy and negotiations to the public. The Russian minister said that such processes are conducted quietly so that potential compromises and concessions being worked on are not harmed.

In addition to Ratcliffe, Lavrov also touched upon the visit to Moscow by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations. He stated that both contacts stemmed from the direct request for meetings by the parties arriving in Moscow.

WASHINGTON AND MOSCOW EMPHASIZE "WORKING VISIT"

The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, wrote in its report that Ratcliffe was sent to Moscow by US President Donald Trump. The report alleged that due to the sensitivity of the mission, even some high-level officials at the White House were not informed about the trip in advance.

Claims also appeared in the American press that Ratcliffe went to Moscow to warn Russia against escalating tensions toward NATO countries, particularly Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Politico also wrote that the CIA Director delivered a warning to Moscow regarding potential steps toward alliance members.

Trump, however, denied these claims, describing the visit as a "semi-routine" working visit. Trump stated that Ratcliffe did not deliver any warning message to Moscow, saying, "No message was delivered and nothing unusual happened."

Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Sergey Naryshkin also confirmed that he met with Ratcliffe in Moscow. Naryshkin stated that he maintains regular contacts with intelligence chiefs from different parts of the world, adding that the meeting with Ratcliffe took place within the scope of a "working format."

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that the contact was made through intelligence channels and that Russian President Vladimir Putin did not meet with Ratcliffe. Peskov reported that the developments were immediately relayed to Putin and characterized some reports in the Western press as "baseless claims."

News Source: 12punto