CIA Director William Burns Reaffirms U.S. Commitment to Helping Ukraine Defend Against Russian Aggression

CIA Director William Burns recently traveled to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian intelligence chiefs, a U.S. official confirmed to NBC News Saturday. Burns said the effects of the armed rebellion led by Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin one week ago would “play out for some time” in Russia, and were a “vivid reminder” of the “corrosive effect” of Putin’s regime.

The official said Burns had traveled regularly to the eastern European country “since the beginning of Russia’s recent aggression more than a year ago.” He also said the CIA was facing a “once-in-generation opportunity” to […]

In prepared remarks delivered at the Ditchley Foundation in Oxfordshire, England, Burns said it was striking that Prigozhin preceded his actions with a scathing indictment of the Kremlin’s mendacious rationale for its invasion of Ukraine, and of the Russian military leadership’s conduct of the war.

Burns reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to sharing intelligence to help Ukraine defend against Russian aggression. He said the CIA was committed to working with its Ukrainian counterparts to ensure that the country is able to defend itself against any further aggression.

The CIA Director’s visit to Ukraine comes at a time of heightened tensions between the two countries. The armed rebellion led by Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is a reminder of the “corrosive effect” of Putin’s regime, and the effects of the rebellion will continue to be felt for some time. The U.S. is committed to working with Ukraine to ensure that the country is able to defend itself against any further aggression.