CIA director and Russian counterpart speak amid ceasefire push
Briefly

CIA Director John Ratcliffe held the first phone call with Russian intelligence chief Sergey Naryshkin since President Trump took office, aiming to establish communication lines. This call follows Ukraine's endorsement of a U.S.-proposed ceasefire, with officials indicating it's now Russia's turn to respond. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed upcoming briefings to outline U.S.-Ukrainian discussions on the ceasefire, seen as a significant moment for U.S.-Russia relations. The Kremlin anticipates direct feedback on the ceasefire from U.S. officials, underscoring the diplomatic stakes involved in these talks.
The call between Ratcliffe and Naryshkin represented the first direct communication between U.S. and Russian intelligence heads since Trump's presidency, aiming to enhance bilateral relations.
The Kremlin emphasized wanting to hear from the U.S. regarding the ceasefire proposal, highlighting a critical moment of potential diplomatic engagement.
U.S. officials indicated that a rejection from Russia regarding the ceasefire would provide significant insights into their position and intentions moving forward.
The conversation aimed to establish a direct communication line, marking a step towards improved relations and potential collaboration on shared interests.
Read at Axios
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