English-language coverage of us diplomacy news from the Netherlands.
The US asked Ukraine to halt strikes on Moscow and St Petersburg while CIA Director Ratcliffe visited Moscow to warn against Russian mobilisation. Ukraine resumed strikes after the visit, hitting a major oil refinery. Russia announced plans to conscript 600,000 troops, and the US later hosted Russia's finance minister at G20 talks, angering Europe.
CIA Director Ratcliffe visited Moscow amid US intelligence of possible Russian mobilisation; Washington asked Ukraine to pause strikes on Moscow and St Petersburg. Meanwhile, a Russian drone strike killed a mother and daughter in Chernihiv, and a Moscow court upheld a 15-year sentence for a Ukrainian pensioner.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe made an unannounced visit to Moscow on 25 August, the first by a CIA chief since 2021. The US asked Ukraine to refrain from striking Moscow and St Petersburg during the trip. Reports indicate the visit was prompted by US intelligence that Russia may be preparing a new military mobilisation.
The US asked Ukraine not to strike Moscow and St Petersburg while CIA Director John Ratcliffe visits Russia — his first trip to Moscow and the highest-level Trump administration visit since January. Ukrainian sources confirmed the narrowed request, raising questions about US-Ukraine relations and the direction of diplomatic efforts.