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C.I.A. Chief Delivered Bleak Assessment of Russia’s War in Secretive Moscow Visit

John Ratcliffe’s meeting this week with a Russian intelligence chief was aimed at pushing the Kremlin to pursue a peace deal with Ukraine.

© Kenny Holston/The New York Times

John Ratcliffe, the C.I.A. director, delivered an urgent message to Aleksandr V. Bortnikov, the head of Russia’s F.S.B. intelligence service this week in a secret visit to Moscow.
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C.I.A. Director Makes Secret Visit to Moscow

John Ratcliffe flew to Moscow in a military cargo plane from Riga, Latvia. It is not clear whom he met or what the purpose of his trip was.

© Kenny Holston/The New York Times

Mr. Ratcliffe’s decision to fly on a military aircraft, probably for increased security, drew immediate attention.
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