CIA director could become key US negotiator with Ukraine and Russia — FT

The Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency, John Ratcliffe, may be given a more active role in Washington’s negotiations with Ukraine and Russia to end the war. At the same time, the White House is considering reducing the participation of other American representatives in the negotiation process.

This is reported by the Financial Times, citing American officials.

According to the publication, US representatives have already informed European partners about the possible strengthening of Ratcliffe’s role.

Ratcliffe may join “shuttle diplomacy”

According to five interlocutors of the Financial Times, the CIA director may participate in the so-called “shuttle diplomacy” between Kyiv and Moscow.

This is a format in which the American representative will maintain contacts with both sides and will participate in the transfer of positions and proposals between them. At the same time, Ratcliffe will continue to communicate with representatives of Ukrainian and Russian intelligence.

The strengthening of the role of the CIA director comes against the backdrop of possible changes in the composition of American representatives involved in negotiations to end the Russian-Ukrainian war.

The role of Witkoff and Kushner may be reviewed

According to the Financial Times, the participation of US President’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner in the negotiations may be reduced.

At the same time, Witkoff will probably retain the position of special envoy and continue contacts with Kiev and Moscow in parallel with Ratcliffe. The publication’s sources also report disputes among American officials regarding the distribution of roles and influence on the negotiation process.

Kushner, in turn, allegedly plans to move away from the Ukrainian issue and focus more on diplomatic processes in the Middle East.

The White House denies information about the replacement of negotiators

The White House and the CIA officially denied reports of a possible replacement of American representatives in the negotiations.

At the same time, the Financial Times sources claim that US President Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision on the new distribution of roles.

Ratcliffe was previously directly involved in contacts with the Russian side. On August 25, the CIA director made a secret visit to Moscow.

It was later reported that during the trip he conveyed a message to the head of the FSB, Alexander Bortnikov, about the need to begin serious negotiations on the cessation of hostilities. According to the source, the American side also presented a negative assessment of the military and economic situation of Russia as a result of the war against Ukraine.