Financial Times: John Ratcliffe Could Play a Greater Role in U.S. Talks with Russia and Ukraine

CIA Director John Ratcliffe could take on a more important role in the peace negotiations conducted by the United States with Russia and Ukraine, amid Vladimir Putin’s tougher demands. The information was reported by the Financial Times, which cites five sources familiar with the discussions.

A possible change would reduce the involvement of U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, although they could remain involved in diplomacy concerning Ukraine. Ratcliffe would continue to work with Russia’s and Ukraine’s intelligence services.

The cited sources maintain, however, that Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision. The White House rejected the information, calling it “completely false news” and stating that Witkoff and Kushner continue to work toward reaching a peace agreement. The CIA did not comment on the reports.

Discussions about reorganizing the U.S. team come after the lack of decisive progress in the negotiations and after the meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska on 15 August 2025. Ukraine believes that Witkoff did not exert sufficient pressure on the Russian leader, while Moscow considers him partly responsible for the summit’s failure.

Ratcliffe visited Moscow on 25 August, where he met with Russian intelligence officials, including Sergei Naryshkin. The visit did not include a meeting with Putin, and its purpose was not officially announced. According to some reports, the negotiations are complicated by the Kremlin’s continued territorial claims.