FBI Director Arrives in Moscow for Talks with Russian Security Services
Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel arrived in Moscow on Wednesday, October 14, to hold talks with representatives of Russian security services. The trip comes amid tense relations between Washington and Moscow over the war against Ukraine and has raised concerns among American lawmakers.
This is reported by the Italian TV channel Rai News, citing American MS NOW, which received information about Patel's arrival from two sources.
According to journalists, the FBI chief is in the Russian capital, where meetings with representatives of Russian law enforcement agencies are planned. At the same time, American authorities have not officially confirmed the visit and have not disclosed the agenda of the talks.
Preparations for the trip became known back in July. Then Politico reported, citing an American official and a source familiar with the organization of the visit, that Patel plans to visit Russia on October 14–15.
It was expected that the FBI director would first arrive in Moscow and then travel to St. Petersburg. The host side was to be the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB).
It is not yet known whether Patel will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin or other senior Kremlin officials. It is also not reported what issues the American and Russian sides intend to discuss.
On the morning of October 14, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to confirm information about the possible arrival of the FBI director.
According to the Kremlin representative, visits by heads of foreign intelligence services are almost never announced, so the Russian side will not comment on reports about the trip.
Earlier, the US Congress called on Patel to cancel his visit to Russia. On October 9, Democratic congressmen Jamie Raskin and Jim Himes sent a letter to the FBI director warning of possible threats to national security.
Lawmakers pointed to the history of Russian intelligence operations against American officials, Moscow's interference in US elections, and cyberattacks on critical infrastructure.
The congressmen expressed particular concern about the alleged organization of meetings by FSB officers. In their opinion, Russian security services may try to use contacts with American colleagues to obtain classified information.
Raskin and Himes also demanded to explain who initiated the trip, what meetings are planned, and what measures are in place to protect confidential information.
If Patel refuses to cancel the visit, lawmakers demanded a closed briefing for Congress on the expansion of FBI cooperation with Russian and Chinese law enforcement agencies.
According to American media, Patel advocates for expanding cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies, including those of countries with which relations remain tense. In particular, this concerns combating transnational crime and internet fraud.
If the information about the visit is confirmed, it will be the first known trip by a sitting FBI director to Russia in 13 years. The last bureau chief to visit the country was Robert Mueller in 2013.
Earlier it was reported about Patel's plans to visit Moscow and St. Petersburg in mid-October, but at that time the dates and program of talks remained preliminary.
As of October 14, there is no official information about the results of the meetings and possible agreements between the FBI and Russian security services.
Based on materials from: Rai News, House Intelligence Committee, The Kyiv Independent.