CIA director warned Russia not to attack NATO countries during Moscow trip: Sources

CIA director cautioned Russia not to attack NATO countries during Moscow trip: Sources The CIA director additionally brought up Iran during the meetings, one source noted.

Key points

• President Donald Trump confirmed Ratcliffe's visit earlier Wednesday in an interview with Glenn Beck, but called the visit "semi-routine."
• A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin remarked to journalists Ratcliffe was in contact with Russian intelligence agencies but did not meet with Putin.
• CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow earlier this week in part to warn Russia not to attack NATO countries, sources familiar with the trip informed ABC News.
• The Wall Street Journal was first to report the purpose of the trip.
• When asked if it had to do with rose Russian aggression against NATO or the climbed Iranian economic pressure, Trump asserted it was none of those reasons.

Ratcliffe additionally brought up Iran during the meetings in Moscow, one source stated.

Notably, the Wall Street Journal was first to report the purpose of the trip. The CIA declined to comment on the trip. CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Moscow for meetings, sources say.

In practice, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin remarked to journalists Ratcliffe was in contact with Russian intelligence agencies but did not meet with Putin. Trump floats renaming US-Canadian lake, denies he'd interfere with French language.

For now, CIA director warned Russia not to attack NATO countries during Moscow trip: remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.