US CIA Director Visits Moscow Privately... "Meeting with Russian Delegation"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] William Burns, Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), reportedly visited Moscow and held talks with a high-level Russian delegation. This secret visit took place amid severe diplomatic tensions between the United States and Russia. While neither side has disclosed specific details of the talks, attention is focused on whether this could open a new breakthrough for improving bilateral relations.

According to foreign media including the U.S. CBS News on the 2nd (local time), a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Russia stated, "Director Burns is leading a high-level delegation visiting Moscow from the 2nd to the 3rd," adding, "This visit is under the direction of President Joe Biden." The spokesperson further noted, "Director Burns and the delegation are meeting with Russian government officials to discuss various issues in bilateral relations."

According to Russia's TASS news agency, the Russian Security Council also announced on its website that Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, held talks with Director Burns on the same day. However, no specific details of the meeting were disclosed. CBS News reported that the U.S. State Department declined to comment on the CIA Director's visit to Russia.

The confidential nature of Director Burns' visit to Russia attracted attention as it occurred amid serious diplomatic conflicts between the two countries. Notably, Burns previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to Russia during the Barack Obama administration, raising interest in whether this visit could serve as a new breakthrough for improving bilateral relations.

Earlier, U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Geneva, Switzerland, in June to discuss intertwined issues such as the nuclear arms race, cybersecurity, and human rights, but progress in improving relations has been slow.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.