CIA Director had rare conversation with Putin while in Moscow last week

CNN reported Friday that Burns' go to to the Russian capital befell at a time of rising concern amongst some US officers about the potential for an expanded Russian army intervention in Ukraine.

When requested concerning the matters touched upon throughout this cellphone conversation, Peskov mentioned they had been "Bilateral relations, the crisis situation in the diplomatic practice, and an exchange of views on regional conflicts." "Of course, cybersecurity issues were also mentioned," Peskov added.Assessments on Russia's motives differ broadly inside the administration, with some sources telling CNN they consider Russia may very well be getting ready for an invasion, while others counsel they're conducting an train, or just making an attempt to intimidate Ukraine.And publicly, Ukraine has downplayed the concept Russia is increase its army presence close to the border past regular ranges. Russia has "established a practice of "transferring and accumulating army models for the aim of sustaining stress in the area and political strain on neighboring nations," Ukraine's Defense Ministry mentioned on Tuesday.Satellite photographs taken by Maxar Technologies last week reveal the sort of irregular Russian troop and gear actions that US officers are apprehensive about. The photographs present Russian troops, tanks and artillery massing close to the Russian city of Yelnya, and the Biden administration is more involved than it was in the spring that Russia might launch an invasion, two senior US officers mentioned.President Joe Biden dispatched Burns to Moscow on Tuesday in an effort to forestall any sort of escalation, the place he met with Kremlin officers to attempt to deter any plans for an offensive by conveying that the US is intently monitoring the troop actions, in accordance with individuals briefed on their assembly.Burns additionally talked about US considerations that Russia is near utilizing its fuel exports as leverage, with Ukraine and different European nations are forecast to undergo vitality crises heading into winter.This story has been up to date.