Lithuania’s president says CIA chief’s Moscow trip ‘achieved its goals’

Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda said he has been briefed by the US on the content of CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s talks in Moscow, describing the visit as aimed at reducing regional tensions.

“I can say at this stage that the meeting achieved its stated objectives, and it was aimed at reducing tensions in the region,” Nauseda said in Vilnius, according to Lithuanian media reports on Monday.

“I very much hope that this message reached the Kremlin regime in good time.” He did not provide further details, citing the agreed approach with Washington.

An unannounced visit by Ratcliffe to Moscow last week sparked global speculation about the purpose of the trip and the possible content of the talks.

Little was officially confirmed after the meeting. US media reported, citing unnamed sources, that Ratcliffe had warned Russia during his Wednesday visit against attacking Nato allies. When asked about the reports, the Kremlin denied them and pointed the finger at the West.

“We should not hide the fact that the meeting did not come about by chance and that the intention was to convey certain messages that had to be conveyed at this point in time,” Nauseda said.