According to sources, the website 'Axios' reported that the Director of the CIA, John Ratcliffe, has suggested to Russian officials the idea of holding a trilateral summit involving the leaders of the United States, Russia, and Ukraine.
Sources told 'Axios' that during his secret visit to Moscow earlier this week, CIA Director John Ratcliffe proposed a three-way meeting between President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an attempt to end the conflict.
The website also reported that U.S. officials have informed Zelensky that Ratcliffe floated the possibility of resuming peace talks while in Moscow.
The sources told 'Axios' that Ratcliffe determined Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Russian Federal Security Service, to be a "constructive party" who could aid in rekindling diplomatic efforts.
The CIA Director's visit aimed partially to assess whether heads of Russian intelligence agencies could help persuade Putin to move towards resuming U.S.-led negotiations with Ukraine.
Ratcliffe clandestinely visited Moscow on Tuesday, meeting with his Russian counterparts: Director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergey Naryshkin, and Director of the Federal Security Service, Alexander Bortnikov.
This marks the first time John Ratcliffe has personally intervened in diplomatic efforts to broker a breakthrough between Russia and Ukraine.
The 'New York Times' reported that Ratcliffe provided Bortnikov with a "bleak assessment" of the ongoing conflict, urging Russia to reach an agreement before the situation worsens.