White House weighs bigger CIA role in Ukraine talks

The White House is weighing a significant change to the team leading United States diplomacy on the Russia-Ukraine war, with CIA Director John Ratcliffe preparing to take a larger role in negotiations, according to reporting that cites US officials familiar with the plans. US officials have told their European counterparts that Ratcliffe would assume a greater mediation role between Moscow and Kyiv, including shuttle diplomacy currently handled by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, while maintaining contact with intelligence officers in both countries. The White House has denied the reporting, calling it totally fake news, and people familiar with the situation said President Donald Trump has not made a final decision. The White House and the CIA declined to comment. The potential shift comes after US-led peace efforts foundered in late February, with talks put on hold as the administration became preoccupied with the war in Iran. Officials involved in backchannel contacts said the administration has been taking account of changes since that round of negotiations stalled.