CIA Covert Efforts: Persuading Countries to Stay Silent on Russia Actions in Ukraine

CIA Helped Convince Countries Not to Oppose Russia, Reports Claim

The United States has involved the CIA in working with countries that were reluctant to speak out against Russia regarding the conflict in Ukraine, according to Newsweek magazine. The publication notes that dozens of countries had to be persuaded to accept the ideas of the Joe Biden administration on the mentioned conflict, including Ukraine's neighbors, who do not entirely share the perspectives of Washington and Kyiv.

"The CIA had to manage this by working through colleagues from foreign intelligence and secret police rather than public politicians and diplomats... The CIA sought assistance from Ukraine's neighbors to better understand (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, as well as (Vladimir) Zelensky," the statement said.

CIA Director William Burns visited Kyiv multiple times after the start of the Russian military operation. Previously, The Washington Post reported that Burns and Volodymyr Zelensky had a secret meeting during which they discussed Kyiv's plans to regain control over the lost territories.

Russia initiated a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that its purpose was to "protect people who have been subjected to abuse and genocide by the Kyiv regime for eight years." He noted that the special operation was a necessary measure as Russia had "no other choice" due to the security risks that made it impossible to respond differently.