Russian, US Intelligence Chiefs Establish Secret Hotline for Urgent Talks

Heads of Russian and American intelligence agencies, Sergey Naryshkin of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) and John Ratcliffe of the U.S. CIA, have agreed to maintain direct communication and call each other at any time to discuss issues of mutual interest. This agreement marks a continuation of warming diplomatic relations between Moscow and Washington despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. Their last known conversation occurred in March 2025, and these calls reflect a rare channel of dialogue between two traditionally fierce intelligence rivals. Both agencies have been actively recruiting agents following the full-scale war in Ukraine, with particular concerns about dismissed U.S. intelligence personnel potentially being targeted by foreign services including Russia and China. Historically, the SVR and its predecessors have been involved in significant espionage activities against the U.S., making this development notable in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions. The agreement underscores a cautious but important step toward intelligence communication amid broader diplomatic rapprochement.