CIA in Moscow: Ratcliffe's message on the Russian economy may have irritated the Kremlin

Vladimir Putin did not meet CIA Director John Ratcliffe during his visit to Moscow on August 25, due to a US message about the Russian economy that reportedly irritated the Kremlin. Ratcliffe met with Russian intelligence officials but had no scheduled meeting with Putin, who was kept informed. Sources indicate Putin canceled a meeting after learning of the US assessment, which described Russia’s military and economic situation as deteriorating, predicting an economic collapse similar to the Soviet Union’s. Washington also aims to convey that Trump will support Zelensky and that negotiation remains the only solution, with Trump inviting Putin to the G20 summit in Miami in December.