Russia rejects reports of possible NATO attack

The Kremlin on Thursday dismissed US media reports suggesting Russia could attack NATO, after CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a rare visit to Moscow.

The Wall Street Journal and CBS News reported that Ratcliffe had sought to dissuade Russia from attacking NATO members, amid US intelligence assessments that Moscow could seek to test the alliance. The Journal reported that President Vladimir Putin could test NATO with a limited assault within the next few years.

Asked about the reports, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said many such “scare stories” were being published and that they had “nothing to do with reality”.

On Ukraine, Peskov said Russia would prefer to achieve its objectives by peaceful means but was continuing what Moscow calls its special military operation because there was no opportunity to do so. He also accused Ukraine's European backers of pursuing what he called a very aggressive policy.

Russia's foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin confirmed he had met Ratcliffe but said there was “nothing unusual” about it, according to state news agency TASS. He said they discussed issues within the remit of intelligence services.

US President Donald Trump also played down the talks, describing them as “semi-routine” in an interview with conservative radio host Glenn Beck and saying Washington wanted to see the war in Ukraine end. The White House did not respond to AFP requests for comment.

Ratcliffe is one of the highest-ranking US officials to visit Russia since the war in Ukraine began in 2022.