CIA Director Warns Kremlin of Risk of Russia’s Economic Collapse Following USSR Scenario — Media

CIA Director John Ratcliffe, during an unannounced visit to Moscow, allegedly warned the Russian leadership that the continuation of the war against Ukraine could lead to serious economic exhaustion of the Russian Federation in a scenario similar to the collapse of the Soviet Union at the end of the Cold War.

This was reported by the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, citing a high-ranking diplomat familiar with the materials of American intelligence.

The CIA assessed Russia’s economic prospects

According to the publication, Ratcliffe conveyed to the Russian side the CIA’s assessment, according to which Moscow could lose the war primarily in economic terms.

The situation directly on the front may remain close to a stalemate for a long time. At the same time, according to the assessment of American intelligence, it will be increasingly difficult for the Russian economy to withstand significant military spending and increased external pressure.

It is the economic factor, according to the source, that may become critical for the Kremlin in the event of a continuation of the war.

Kremlin advised not to count on cessation of support for Ukraine

According to media reports, during contacts in Moscow, the CIA director also made it clear to the Russian side that it should not build a strategy on the assumption of cessation of American support for Ukraine.

Similarly, according to the data provided, the Kremlin should not count on the fact that US President Donald Trump will eventually refuse to cooperate with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ratcliffe came to Moscow without prior announcement

As reported, John Ratcliffe visited Moscow on August 25. During the visit, he held talks with the heads of Russian special services.

The head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergei Naryshkin, confirmed the fact of a “working meeting” but did not provide details of the talks.

According to the source, there was no personal meeting between the CIA director and Vladimir Putin.

After the trip, materials with CIA assessments of the situation in Russia and the prospects for the continuation of the war were presented to Western partners.