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U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe attends a cabinet meeting at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland, U.S., on July 31 (local time). / AFP Yonhap

U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe's visit to Moscow was reportedly aimed at delivering a warning to refrain from military threats against North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states.

According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 26th (local time), Director Ratcliffe's surprise visit to Moscow the previous day came in response to the latest assessments by U.S. intelligence agencies indicating that Russia could test the alliance's resolve by launching limited attacks against NATO allies within the next few years.

U.S. authorities are closely monitoring the possibility that Russian President Vladimir Putin, facing domestic political pressure and challenges on the Ukrainian front lines, could launch cyber warfare, small-scale border incursions, or ground provocations targeting the Baltic states and other regional nations.

Depleted Western ammunition stockpiles resulting from aid to Ukraine and the fallout from Middle East conflicts are also cited as potential factors influencing Russia's strategic calculations.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated at a briefing that day that Director Ratcliffe held working-level meetings with intelligence officials in Moscow. He added that while a direct meeting with President Putin did not take place, the matters discussed were reported to him.

The U.S. administration remained tight-lipped regarding the specific background of the visit. In a media interview, U.S. President Donald Trump described Director Ratcliffe's trip to Moscow as "part of routine business," stating, "Efforts to end the war are underway, and both sides want to end the war."

With the war between Ukraine and Russia stretching into its fifth year, the U.S. intelligence chief's visit to Moscow marks a highly unusual move, the WSJ reported.

This marks the first visit to Russia by a CIA director since former Director William Burns visited in November 2021 during former President Joe Biden's administration. At the time, Director Burns traveled to Russia and reportedly warned President Putin against attacking Ukraine.

                                                                                                         Lee Jeong-eun