Zelenskyy, CIA Chief Hold Talks During Refuelling Stop At Irish Airport

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met CIA Director John Ratcliffe at Shannon Airport in Ireland during a refuelling stop, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday.

The meeting took place as Zelenskyy travelled to New York for the annual UN General Assembly, where world leaders are gathering this week. The two officials spoke while their aircraft were being refuelled, the sources said.

No details of their conversation were disclosed. Both sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing a sensitive matter.

The meeting comes as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues, with diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement facing difficulties.

Ratcliffe is among the most senior US intelligence officials involved

in discussions relating to the conflict. His meeting with Zelenskyy also follows a rare visit to Moscow last month, where he met senior Russian intelligence officials.

US media reports said Ratcliffe’s Moscow trip included discussions about the war in Ukraine and concerns over a possible future confrontation between Russia and NATO.

The CIA chief’s visit came as Russian attacks on Ukraine intensified during the summer, while US-backed efforts to advance peace talks showed limited progress.

Neither Ratcliffe nor the CIA has publicly detailed the discussions held during his Moscow visit.

Ratcliffe was travelling back from a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi when he met Zelenskyy at Shannon, according to one of the sources.

The CIA director’s meeting with Zelenskyy also comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and wider US diplomatic efforts in the region.

Zelenskyy is expected to take part in several diplomatic engagements in New York during the UN General Assembly.

(With inputs from Reuters)