Today the Kremlin confirmed that CIA director John Ratcliffe held talks in Moscow with Russian intelligence officials, but not with Vladimir Putin. Here's what we know (and what we don't). Producer Ben Tavener

@BBCBenTavener

@Biz_Ukraine_Mag @BBCBenTavener Putin should have listened to the CIA in 2021. If he had Russians could have been dreaming of expanding their empire and not the collapse of Russia itself.

@BBCBenTavener America ask Ukraine to pause drone strikes so plane can land safe in Moscow. Congratulation to Kremlin: capital airspace now secure whenever enemy superpower schedule visit. Great power status confirm.

@BBCBenTavener Thank you, Steve. You are one of the things the BBC can be proud of.

@BBCBenTavener The purpose of the CIA director’s trip was for some innocent Russian schoolchildren to gift the CIA director a lovely carved eagle to hang in the director’s office. I’m sure it’s fine. No need to look closely at it.

@BBCBenTavener Hi Steve, thanks a lot for sharing all your very interesting fact‘s from russia! I listen to you now on a daily basis like reading the newspaper.

Brilliant, our puppet PM’s since Johnson have pushed the UK down a path to war with Russia. Wankers the lot of them, we pump Billions to support a corrupt regime. My tax money that could be used to support projects in the UK rather than fund lavish lifestyles of Ukrainian elite.

@BBCBenTavener We know Ratcliffe was in Latvia as well where there are around 2k @CanadianForces stationed, so is Latvia the target of an impending russian attack ? @MarkJCarney @AnitaAnandMP will 💩 the bed if any 🇨🇦 troops come under fire, issue strong condemnations and then hide.

@BBCBenTavener We know we’re gonna get nuked - we just don’t know when. Feels like the early 1980s all over again except now I’m middle aged and less bothered about the fallout

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@BBCBenTavener A 12-hour flight for a 2-hour visit is not a friendly meeting—it’s a message.

@BBCBenTavener If Russia is such an oppressive country how is a BBC reporter able to report and move freely? Obviously you are no fan of Putin, but have you ever been arrested and thrown in a jail cell?

@BBCBenTavener Ukraine recently knocked out the base from which Russian Military satellites are launched. They've also knocked out launch sites for weapons. This has lead to a narrowing down of the weapons that can be used. What's left? Has the CIA warned against using a certain weapon?

@BBCBenTavener Take care Steve

@BBCBenTavener One thing is sure. Putin have no idea how to get out of his failed invasion war...

@BBCBenTavener 🤔🤔

@BBCBenTavener @BowesChay - this residential Brit. He's sort of been left behind in the BBC trolley when they left the supermarket? Does he have any knew since the granny he interviewed 120kms outside Moscow?

@BBCBenTavener clearly, Pyutin should've listened to Bill Burns 5 years ago.....

Thank you, Sir! Was honored to be on with Steve Lai today on BBC News to discuss this. As a Former CIA Station Chief, am glad if our director is helping, finally, PUSH BACK on Putin... 👉for those interested in more of my analysis on Putin's Secret War...Link to order my book:

@BBCBenTavener This appears to be a system for managing warnings and escalation regarding potential Russian moves against NATO. The coming days—in terms of attacks, drone flight paths, troop movements, and public statements—will reveal whether yesterday’s meeting has a de-escalating effect.

@BBCBenTavener I wouldn’t believe a word that comes out of your mouth !

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@BBCBenTavener So, it looks to you that putin will try to invade smb else?

@BBCBenTavener Will we ever find out?

@BBCBenTavener Silly

@BBCBenTavener Presume, he flew to moscow for cash 🤷🏽‍♂️

@Ohra_aho @BBCBenTavener @PeterRNeumann

@BBCBenTavener CIA director issued threats and increased terrorism in Russia and targeted killings of its civilians and hopefully Russia told the terrorists leader to go F himself and it's MI6 partners.

@BBCBenTavener - Russia has destroyed @ZelenskyyUa `s army and is winning on the frontline . @ZelenskyyUa `s drones are not deterring Russian Victiry you moron , abd @cia Ratcliff and @VaticanNews know this

@BBCBenTavener #Pedoputin

@BBCBenTavener Ultimátum de Rusia ?

@BBCBenTavener Is the latest visit by the CIA to warn against invading another country : Kazakhstan?

(the wife) Couldn't resist, once I heard the BBC are cutting Newsnight. Look, poor Steve is listed in the BBC’s pay disclosures 31/3/26 at £194,999 Spare a cherry for the blind organist sitting in Moscow all year for his annual question at the Putin end-of-year media marathon.... fire him after his annual question. We sit up for it, waiting for it..... (back to Socrates)