Swordsmyth
02-08-2018, 12:38 AM
The heads of three Russian intelligence agencies all visited the US simultaneously. This is an extraordinary and unprecedented event, especially at a time when that relationship has so greatly deteriorated. Sergei Naryshkin, the foreign intelligence chief, Alexander Bortnikov, who heads the Federal Security Service, and Lieutenant General (two stars) Igor Korobov, the head of Russia’s military intelligence, visited Washington in late January. Not much has been leaked to the media but it was reported that they met with CIA Director Mike Pompeo. There was no secrecy about the (https://sputniknews.com/us/201802011061270423-intelligence-meeting-newspaper-reaction/) visit (https://sputniknews.com/us/201802011061270423-intelligence-meeting-newspaper-reaction/) or attempts to hush it up. The Russian ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, m (http://tass.com/politics/987568)entioned (http://tass.com/politics/987568) the event on television. He claimed that the visit had been a success and that despite the extreme tension between the two countries, their intelligence agencies were continuing to cooperate. As he put it, "Politics is politics, work is work. There are political proclamations, and there is real work."
At least one of the Russian visitors is affected by the sanctions constraints. Obviously, President Donald Trump permitted the visit, as he is the only one who is authorized to temporarily waive those restrictions. No doubt there was a discussion of the terrorist threat posed by the Federal Security Service, but that team was headed by Mr. Naryshkin. The negotiations over the joint efforts to counter international terrorism could have been held anywhere. Such contacts between intelligence agencies do not require the top officials to head the delegations. Thus one must conclude that the talks addressed a much broader agenda - there must have been something really significant to discuss, with an agenda not limited to just one or two issues.
There was a particular context for this event.
It’s important to note that Kurt Volker, the US Special Representative for Ukraine, and Vladislav Surkov, the Russian president’s top aide, also met (http://tass.com/politics/987184) in late January in Dubai. The American official is known for his stints at the CIA. Many observers found it rather surprising that President Trump did not say anything critical about Russia in his remarks (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-world-economic-forum/) at the Davos World Economic Forum on Jan. 26. During his stay in Switzerland, the US president was too busy (https://frontnews.eu/news/en/22342/Trump-didnt-Meet-Poroshenko-in-Davos-Because-Lack-of-Time) to meet Ukrainian President Poroshenko but managed to find time (https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-world-economic-forum-davos/4226014.html) for talks (https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-world-economic-forum-davos/4226014.html) with his “friend” Rwandan President Paul Kagame! The long- awaited “Kremlin List (https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2018/02/01/kremlin-list-made-public-whats-store-for-us-russia-relationship.html)” was nothing but a meaningless administrative step.
There have been reports (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-trump-policy/despite-tensions-u-s-sees-value-in-new-start-treaty-with-russia-idUSKCN1BY00R) that Washington has been seeking ways to improve ties. The two countries’ top military leaders met last September to discuss Syria. More such events are planned (http://thehill.com/policy/defense/351783-us-russian-generals-meet-face-to-face-after-syria-clash) for the future. The two foreign-office chiefs regularly hold private meetings. And Feb. 5 was an important date - both parties reported they had (https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2018/02/05/february-5-2018-russia-and-us-meet-new-start-provisions.html)met their (https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2018/02/05/february-5-2018-russia-and-us-meet-new-start-provisions.html) obligations (https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2018/02/05/february-5-2018-russia-and-us-meet-new-start-provisions.html) under the New START Treaty.
More at: https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-02-07/three-top-russian-officials-quietly-visit-united-states
At least one of the Russian visitors is affected by the sanctions constraints. Obviously, President Donald Trump permitted the visit, as he is the only one who is authorized to temporarily waive those restrictions. No doubt there was a discussion of the terrorist threat posed by the Federal Security Service, but that team was headed by Mr. Naryshkin. The negotiations over the joint efforts to counter international terrorism could have been held anywhere. Such contacts between intelligence agencies do not require the top officials to head the delegations. Thus one must conclude that the talks addressed a much broader agenda - there must have been something really significant to discuss, with an agenda not limited to just one or two issues.
There was a particular context for this event.
It’s important to note that Kurt Volker, the US Special Representative for Ukraine, and Vladislav Surkov, the Russian president’s top aide, also met (http://tass.com/politics/987184) in late January in Dubai. The American official is known for his stints at the CIA. Many observers found it rather surprising that President Trump did not say anything critical about Russia in his remarks (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-world-economic-forum/) at the Davos World Economic Forum on Jan. 26. During his stay in Switzerland, the US president was too busy (https://frontnews.eu/news/en/22342/Trump-didnt-Meet-Poroshenko-in-Davos-Because-Lack-of-Time) to meet Ukrainian President Poroshenko but managed to find time (https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-world-economic-forum-davos/4226014.html) for talks (https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-world-economic-forum-davos/4226014.html) with his “friend” Rwandan President Paul Kagame! The long- awaited “Kremlin List (https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2018/02/01/kremlin-list-made-public-whats-store-for-us-russia-relationship.html)” was nothing but a meaningless administrative step.
There have been reports (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-trump-policy/despite-tensions-u-s-sees-value-in-new-start-treaty-with-russia-idUSKCN1BY00R) that Washington has been seeking ways to improve ties. The two countries’ top military leaders met last September to discuss Syria. More such events are planned (http://thehill.com/policy/defense/351783-us-russian-generals-meet-face-to-face-after-syria-clash) for the future. The two foreign-office chiefs regularly hold private meetings. And Feb. 5 was an important date - both parties reported they had (https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2018/02/05/february-5-2018-russia-and-us-meet-new-start-provisions.html)met their (https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2018/02/05/february-5-2018-russia-and-us-meet-new-start-provisions.html) obligations (https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2018/02/05/february-5-2018-russia-and-us-meet-new-start-provisions.html) under the New START Treaty.
More at: https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-02-07/three-top-russian-officials-quietly-visit-united-states