CIA chief flew to Moscow ‘to warn Russia they need to cut a deal with Ukraine before things get worse’ amid fears Putin is being misled by advisors
The CIA director, John Ratcliffe, reportedly travelled secretly to Moscow to tell Russia’s security chief that it should seek an agreement with Ukraine before its military and economic position deteriorates further. The reported intervention matters because US intelligence officials believe President Vladimir Putin may not be receiving a full account of the war’s costs and stalled progress.
Russia’s advances along the 745-mile front have largely slowed, while Ukraine’s drone warfare has reduced Moscow’s advantage in troop numbers, according to the article. It cites an estimate that around two million soldiers have been killed, wounded or gone missing since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, including 1.4 million Russians, though neither side publishes military casualty figures. The report also describes continued attacks on Kherson, where one man was killed and residents were urged to evacuate amid threats to critical infrastructure.
In short
- CIA chief reportedly urged Russia to seek a Ukraine deal.
- Russia’s territorial progress has largely stalled.
- Fighting and drone attacks continue to cause heavy losses.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A direct warning could help prevent further deaths by making clear to Russia’s leadership that continued fighting may bring mounting military and economic costs without decisive gains. If Putin is receiving an incomplete account of the war, candid communication with senior officials might also create an opening for negotiations before conditions worsen for both countries.
The case against
A warning framed around Russia’s deteriorating position could be seen as pressure to accept terms under duress, rather than a credible basis for a durable settlement. Some would argue that negotiations should not be urged in a way that weakens Ukraine’s leverage or sidelines its agency, and that Russia must first show through its actions that it is prepared to end the invasion.
Explained simply
The war began in February 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Fighting has continued along a long front, while both countries have used drones and other weapons to strike military targets and infrastructure.
Vladimir Putin is Russia’s president and the country’s most powerful decision-maker. The CIA is the United States’ foreign intelligence service, led by John Ratcliffe; Ukraine is defending its territory and has sought support from the US and other allies.
The war matters beyond the battlefield because it has caused extensive loss of life and damage, and has strained relations between Russia and Western countries. Any effort to explore a settlement would involve questions about Ukraine’s security and the future of territory occupied by Russia.