Ankara: CIA Director John Ratcliffe proposed a meeting between US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a covert visit to Moscow earlier this week, Axios reported Saturday. The visit aimed to evaluate whether Russia's intelligence chiefs could assist in persuading Putin to move toward resuming US-mediated negotiations with Ukraine, according to sources.

According to Anadolu Agency, US officials briefed Zelenskyy on Friday about Ratcliffe's talks in Moscow and the proposal for the summit. The Trump administration has previously considered the possibility of such a meeting. While Zelenskyy has shown support for the idea, Putin has rejected it.

Trump informed Axios that Ratcliffe's visit was "standard business" and was not intended to caution Russia against a potential attack on NATO territory. The New York Times reported that Ratcliffe provided Alexander Bortnikov, the head of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), "a bleak assessment" of the war and urged Russia to reach a deal before its position deteriorates.

Sources revealed to Axios that Ratcliffe saw Bortnikov as a constructive figure who could aid in reviving diplomatic efforts. Zelenskyy's chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov, mentioned on Thursday that US-mediated talks with Russia might resume in September, as per media reports.