Russian and US spy chiefs agree to secret hotline for urgent talks
Photo: Director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin (Getty Images)
Heads of Russian and American intelligence agencies have agreed to call each other at any time to discuss issues of mutual interest, reports Reuters, citing Director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin.
In a comment to a Kremlin-affiliated journalist, he stated that he had spoken with CIA Director John Ratcliffe. They agreed on direct communication at any time.
"I had a phone call with my American counterpart and we reserved for each other the possibility to call each other at any time and discuss issues of interest to us," Naryshkin stated.
According to Russian media, the last known conversation between the heads of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) and the CIA took place in March 2025.
Reuters also noted that both agencies have long been fierce rivals. After the full-scale war in Ukraine, each of them launched public campaigns to recruit agents.
CIA cuts and recruitment threat
In March, The Washington Post reported that the White House informed Congress about plans to reduce the CIA staff by about 1,200 employees over several years.
At the same time, current and former officials warned about the risk that dismissed intelligence officers could become targets for recruitment by foreign intelligence services.
Specifically, Russia and China were instructed to intensify recruitment efforts targeting the mentioned employees.
