Russian, US intelligence leaders commit to regular dialogue to reduce confrontation

On March 11, 2025, Sergei Naryshkin, the Director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), held a telephone conversation with John Ratcliffe, the Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

According to the SVR press bureau, the two officials discussed areas of mutual interest and crisis management between their intelligence services, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

The conversation resulted in an agreement to maintain regular contact between the two intelligence agencies, with the goal of promoting international stability and security, as well as reducing tensions in the ongoing relations between Moscow and Washington. This commitment to dialogue is seen as an important step toward lessening confrontation between the two countries.

Naryshkin’s last telephone exchange with Ratcliffe took place in the summer of 2023. Additionally, in the fall of 2022, Naryshkin met with his American counterpart in Türkiye when the CIA was headed by William Burns.

Earlier in February, Naryshkin highlighted that the conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump created an opportunity for continued dialogue at the level of intelligence service heads. The two leaders spoke for about an hour and a half on February 12, discussing a range of issues including the ongoing Ukrainian conflict, economic relations between the two nations, Middle East peace efforts, and the Iranian nuclear program.

In the days following, President Trump expressed his intention to engage in further discussions with President Putin and announced a "major meeting with Russia," set to take place on March 12. Trump has also voiced optimism for a ceasefire in Ukraine, suggesting that it could be reached in the coming days.

By Tamilla Hasanova