Trump says CIA director Ratcliffe's mystery trip to Moscow was not to warn Putin against testing 'NATO resolve'

President Trump said Wednesday that the CIA director John Ratcliffe’s “mystery” trip to Moscow was not meant to warn Vladimir Putin against testing NATO resolve or “strike England,” after the unannounced visit sparked speculation. Ratcliffe’s four-hour trip on Tuesday drew questions from radio host Glenn Beck, who floated theories ranging from Iran sanctions discussions to cautioning Russia. Trump rejected them, adding that Ratcliffe was in Moscow for something “semi-routine,” while suggesting the broader focus could involve efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump credited secrecy and said both sides want the war ended. The trip was the first known Russia visit by a CIA director since William Burns in late 2021. Speculation also connected Ratcliffe to a new U.S. effort, Operation Economic Outcast, aimed at severing Iran’s economic ties with countries including China and Russia.