US spy chief Ratcliffe preparing for bigger role in Russia, Ukraine talks, FT reports

Sept 9 (Reuters) – U.S. CIA Director John Ratcliffe is ​preparing to ‌take a bigger role in Washington’s negotiations with Russia ‌and ​Ukraine, ⁠U.S. officials told ⁠their European counterparts, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

CIA ​spokesperson Liz Lyons denied ⁠the report, ⁠calling it “false” ​in a post ​on X.

The Financial Times, ‌citing people familiar with the matter, said the ⁠White House is considering scaling back the ⁠involvement ‌of U.S. ⁠envoys Steve Witkoff ​and ‌Jared Kushner ​in the ⁠Ukraine peace effort.

(Reporting by Anusha Shah in Bengaluru; Editing by Chris ​Reese)