Have A Conversation With President Putin During A Visit To Russia, Here's What The CIA Director Discussed

Dirketur CIA William Burns. (Wikimedia Commons/East Asia and Pacific Media Hub/U.S. Department of State)

JAKARTA - Director of the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) William Burns held a rare conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow, Russia last week.

Two sources with direct knowledge of this matter told CNN, including those discussed were the United States' serious concerns about Russia's military buildup along the Ukrainian border. President Putin's spokesman Dimitry Peskov also confirmed there were discussions. "Yes, conversations like that happen over the phone," he told CNN as quoted November 9.

Previously reported, Burns' visit to the Russian capital comes at a time of growing concern among some Washington officials about the possibility of an expanded Russian military intervention in Ukraine.

One source said the US had serious concerns about Russia's development, adding, "It would be foolish for us not to consider the possibility of an invasion or attack."

When asked about the topics brought up during this phone conversation, Peskov said it was "Bilateral relations, crisis situations in diplomatic practice, and exchange of views on regional conflicts."

"Of course, cybersecurity issues are also mentioned," added Peskov, who is also commonly referred to as a Kremlin spokesman.

Assessments of Russia's motives differ markedly within the government, with some sources saying they believed Russia could be preparing for an invasion, while others suggested they were carrying out drills or simply trying to intimidate Ukraine.

And publicly, Ukraine has downplayed the idea of Russia building its military presence near the border beyond normal levels. Russia has 'established the practice' of transferring and assembling military units for the purpose of maintaining tensions in the region and political pressure in neighboring countries," the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

Satellite images taken by Maxar Technologies last week show the type of irregular movement of Russian troops and equipment that US officials are concerned about. The images show Russian troops, tanks and artillery congregating near the Russian city of Yelnya, making President Joe Biden's Administration more worried than spring that Russia could launch an invasion, two senior US officials said.

To note, President Joe Biden sent William Burns to Moscow on Tuesday last week, in a bid to prevent any kind of escalation, where he met with Kremlin officials to say the US was closely monitoring troop movements, according to people briefed at the meeting. they.

Director Burns also cited US concerns that Russia is almost using its gas exports as leverage, with Ukraine and other European countries expected to experience an energy crisis ahead of winter.