A secret trip by CIA director John Ratcliffe to Moscow took place after new information was released by U.S. intelligence services, indicating that the Kremlin believes the United States is weakened because of its war with Iran and may see an opportunity to increase pressure on U.S. interests and its European allies. The Washington Post has pointed to this.

During this trip, Ratcliffe warned his Russian counterpart against escalating the war in Ukraine, arguing that this move would ultimately be to Moscow’s disadvantage.