Russia dismisses as ‘scare stories’ US reports about attacking NATO

The Kremlin dismissed as 'scare stories' reports from the Wall Street Journal and CBS News that CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow to warn Russia against testing NATO, following U.S. intelligence assessments that Vladimir Putin could attempt a 'limited assault' on the alliance within years. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the reports detached from reality, while Russia's foreign intelligence chief acknowledged the meeting happened but called it unremarkable.

President Trump separately downplayed the visit as 'semi-routine,' saying it concerned Ukraine and denying NATO or Iran sanctions came up, though CBS reported Ratcliffe also discussed Iran and warned of further sanctions if the Strait of Hormuz stayed closed to shipping. The White House did not respond to requests for comment.

Ratcliffe is among the highest-ranking U.S. officials to visit Moscow since 2022; the last CIA director to make the trip, William Burns in 2021, warned Russia against invading Ukraine three months before it did exactly that. Peace talks over Ukraine remain stalled while Russia faces mounting drone strikes on its own territory and economy.

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