The Kremlin says the CIA director held talks in Moscow with his intelligence counterparts

In practice, the Kremlin remarked Wednesday that CIA Director John Ratcliffe held negotiations in Moscow with his intelligence counterparts, a rare and secretive visit at a time when relations with Washington remain strained over Russia's war in Ukraine.

Key points

• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked Ratcliffe did not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• President Donald Trump played down the significance of Ratcliffe's trip, saying it was "sort of semi-routine."
• "Of course, President Putin is immediately informed of everything, " Peskov continued, refusing to say what was discussed.
• "I hate to disappoint people, " he remarked on conservative broadcaster Glenn Beck's radio show Wednesday.
• The official remarked the request did not apply to all Russian territory, but specifically to Moscow, St.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked Ratcliffe did not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This person was informed of the contacts that were "on the intelligence agencies' level."

Russian state news agencies documented that a U.S. Military plane landed in Moscow's Vnukovo airport on Tuesday and departed afterwards that day.

U.S. President Donald Trump played down the significance of Ratcliffe's trip, saying it was "sort of semi-routine."

In practice, a senior Ukrainian official informed The Associated Press that Washington informed Kyiv a delegation would be traveling to the Russian capital and asked it to suspend strikes until it left. The official remarked the request did not apply to all Russian territory, but specifically to Moscow, St. Petersburg and some northern regions. Strikes on other parts of Russia continued, the official remarked, speaking on condition of anonymity as he is not authorized to talk publicly. CBS News first documented on the visit.

For now, the Kremlin says the CIA director held talks in Moscow with his remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.