, Aug. 26 -- CIA Director John Ratcliffe held talks with senior Russian intelligence officials in Moscow, the Kremlin said Wednesday, in a rare visit that came as relations between Washington and Moscow remain tense over Russia's war in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Ratcliffe did not meet President Vladimir Putin, though the Russian leader was informed about the discussions.

"President Putin is immediately informed of everything," Peskov said, declining to provide details about the talks.

The CIA and White House did not immediately comment on the visit.

Russian state news agencies reported that a US military aircraft landed at Moscow's Vnukovo airport on Tuesday and left later the same day.

A senior Ukrainian official...