President Donald Trump said the CIA director's trip to Russia was "semi-routine," dispelling speculation about urgent reasons for the trip and signaling that the spy chief's visit could help with negotiations to end the Ukraine war.
Radio host Glenn Beck quizzed Trump about CIA Director John Ratcliffe's Aug. 25 visit to Moscow, saying there are "rumors" that Russia President Vladimir Putin could threaten a NATO country, or that the trip was about telling Moscow "we're serious" about Iran sanctions.
The Wall Street Journalreported that U.S. intelligence suggests that Russia could be making plans to test the resolve of NATO nations. As a member of NATO, the U.S. is obligated to help defend member countries.
"None of the above," Trump said Aug. 26
when Beck raised the NATO concerns and other possible reasons for the visit. "He's there on very, sort of semi-routine (business). I hate to disappoint people."
"He is not there for any of the things that you said," Trump added.
Instead, Trump talked about trying to end the Ukraine war, a goal he has pursued without success since returning to office last year.
Peace talks collapsed earlier this year as Ukraine rejected Russian demands to relinquish territory and the Trump administration turned its focus to the Iran war. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy recently drafted a one-page proposal to present to Moscow that includes a ceasefire and a U.S. plan for a free economic zone in the country's eastern Donbas area, telling reporters he sees a window to end the war through renewed U.S.-led negotiations.
Trump said "something may come out" of Ratcliffe's trip, his first known visit to Moscow.
"We're working very hard to get that war ended," he added.
The Kremlin on Tuesday questioned the feasibility of the U.S. idea to create a free economic zone in Donbas, saying the territory was formally part of Russia and that it was therefore unlikely that a third party could manage it.
Russia has claimed four Ukrainian regions as its own, despite not controlling them fully. Moscow has repeatedly said that any solution must involve Ukraine fully ceding the four regions as well as resolving the conflict's "root causes."
Contributing: Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says CIA director's trip to Moscow was 'semi-routine'
