Naryshkin confirms meeting with CIA director Ratcliffe in Moscow

The head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergei Naryshkin, confirmed that he met with U.S. CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Moscow.

He announced this to journalists.

According to Naryshkin, the two sides discussed matters within the purview of the intelligence services. He did not disclose details of the talks, citing their sensitive nature.

“During the meeting we discussed a number of issues that fall within the competence of the intelligence services. And the competence of the intelligence services, as you well understand, is a rather delicate and special matter. The meeting took place, but there is nothing unusual about that. In the practice of special services, meetings between directors or personal meetings in an online format are part of our work,” Naryshkin said.

The SVR chief also described the meeting with Ratcliffe as a “working format.”

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump called Ratcliffe’s visit to Moscow a “routine trip.” Trump also denied reports in Western media that the meeting had addressed the question of a possible Russian attack on NATO countries.