FBI Director Kash Patel arrives in Moscow despite US security warnings
FBI Director Kash Patel (photo: Getty Images)
FBI Director Kash Patel arrived in Moscow to meet with representatives of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). The official had previously been warned against making the trip, according to Rai News.
Patel in Moscow
FBI Director Kash Patel arrived in Russia on October 14.
Just hours before his arrival, the Russian leader's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, declined to comment on Patel's possible visit. He explained that visits by heads of foreign intelligence agencies are not usually announced in advance.
Warnings against the trip
Back in July, Politico reported on Patel's possible visit to Russia on October 14-15. According to journalists, he planned to visit Moscow and St. Petersburg. The senior official was expected to hold talks with representatives of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).
On August 5, Reuters reported that the FBI director had established new channels of cooperation with law enforcement agencies in Russia and China. They would reportedly work together to combat transnational crime.
According to the agency, this raised concerns within the US intelligence community because it marked a departure from Washington's previous policy.
On October 9, Democratic Congressmen Jamie Raskin and Jim Himes urged Patel to cancel his trip to Russia due to threats to US national security.
According to them, the FSB has a long history of espionage operations targeting American officials. Reports of possible exchanges of personnel and intelligence information with both Russia and China raised particular concerns.
The congressmen also pointed to:
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Russian cyberattacks,
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Interference in US elections,
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Moscow's support for Washington's adversaries.
They also highlighted reports that Patel had received $25,000 for appearing in a documentary by a director with ties to the Kremlin.
Raskin and Himes demanded that, if Patel's visit took place, a closed-door briefing be arranged for Congress. They wanted explanations regarding:
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The purpose of the trip,
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Planned meetings,
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Cooperation with Russian intelligence agencies,
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Measures to protect the FBI director from potential espionage.
In August, CIA Director John Ratcliffe's visit to Russia took place under heightened secrecy. The visit was ordered by US President Donald Trump.
In addition, Patel planned to visit Russia in the fall. If the trip takes place, it will be the first visit by a sitting FBI director in more than a decade.
