New York: US President Donald Trump has indicated that CIA Director John Ratcliffe's recent visit to Moscow was part of Washington's continuing efforts to end the Ukraine War, lifting the veil of secrecy surrounding the trip.
Trump, speaking to conservative commentator Glenn Beck in an interview, said, “We’re working very hard to get that war ended, and frankly, they both want to see it ended at this point.”
He suggested that “something might come out” of Ratcliffe's visit, while downplaying its overall significance.
Asked whether the visit was related to NATO or threatened Iran-related sanctions, Trump said, “None of the above. He’s there, you know, very sort of semi-routine. I hate to disappoint people.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov earlier confirmed the visit, which had been kept under wraps by the US.
US media first reported the trip based on flight data showing an American military aircraft travelling from the US via Latvia to Moscow, along with diplomatic motorcades seen in the Russian capital.
Peskov said Ratcliffe did not meet Putin during the visit but held talks with Russian intelligence officials. He did not provide details of the discussions.
“All I can tell you is that there have been contacts via the security services,” Peskov told reporters.
The visit came as the Ukraine War entered a new phase of intensification, with Russia stepping up attacks on Ukraine, including strikes on civilian targets.
Ukraine was also reported to be running short of anti-missile defence equipment, increasing its vulnerability after appearing to make headway in the war.
Trump had pledged during his election campaign to end the Ukraine War within a day of becoming President, but the conflict has continued for four years.
The Ratcliffe visit also came a day after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned countries doing business with Iran that they would face serious consequences.
Trump has threatened an “Economic D-Day” against Iran, an expression recalling the massive military surge against Nazi Germany that contributed to the end of World War II.
Russia is among the countries with significant ties to Iran. Some reports have claimed that Russia was providing Iran with intelligence to assist it in its confrontation with the US, but Trump has denied the allegations.
Peskov also sought to downplay the significance of Ratcliffe's visit, saying such contacts often continue even during the most difficult periods in bilateral relations.
“These contacts often continue even during the most difficult periods in bilateral relations,” he said.
“It is still too early to say to what extent this will, overall, help to steer our bilateral relations out of the profound crisis in which they currently find themselves,” Peskov added.
The visit was Ratcliffe's first to Russia since becoming CIA chief.
With IANS inputs