The aircraft, a US government-operated plane, departed from the United States, touched down in Latvia for a stopover, and then proceeded to Moscow on Tuesday, according to flight tracking data reviewed by multiple media outlets. The data does not identify passengers, but US media reports have identified the visitor as CIA Director William Burns, who would be engaging in the most direct discussions with Russian counterparts since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Neither the CIA nor the Russian government has officially confirmed the visit. The White House declined to comment on intelligence matters. However, the trip aligns with recent signals from Washington of renewed interest in diplomatic backchannels, particularly on issues where mutual interests exist, such as prisoner exchanges and strategic nuclear stability.
Burns, a career diplomat before leading the CIA, has previously played a central role in US-Russia communications, including talks before the invasion and recent negotiations over detained Americans. A meeting in Moscow would mark a significant shift after months of virtually no high-level diplomacy, as both countries remain locked in the longest land war in Europe since World War II.
The Kremlin has not responded to requests for comment. Russian state media have not reported the visit independently, but some pro-government Telegram channels briefly noted the flight's arrival before deleting posts.
Speculation about the visit's agenda centers on three areas: securing the release of detained US citizens, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan; discussing the ongoing war in Ukraine, where Russia continues to hold occupied territories; and exploring potential arms control channels, given heightened nuclear risks.
The trip comes as Ukraine's counteroffensive continues to gain ground but faces stiff Russian defenses, and as concerns grow over potential winter escalation.