According to The Diplomatic Affairs, Kash Patel, Director of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, arrived in Moscow on 14 October for talks with representatives of the Russian security services. Earlier, the American publication Politico had reported on a visit to Moscow and St Petersburg scheduled for 14–15 October. However, there has been no official confirmation of the FBI director’s arrival, and the Kremlin has declined to comment on reports of a possible trip.
- The media reported that FBI Director Kesh Patel had arrived in Moscow on 14 October.
- The visit is provisionally scheduled for 14–15 October.
- Talks with representatives of the Russian FSB are expected to take place.
- The Kremlin has not confirmed the arrival of the US official.
What is known about the FBI Director’s possible visit to Russia
The American publication Politico reported as early as 20 July that the Director of the FBI Kesh Patel is preparing for a trip to Russia. The information was provided to journalists by a US official and another source familiar with the arrangements for the visit.
According to the provisional schedule, Patel was due to visit Moscow on 14 October and then travel to St Petersburg. According to sources, the host organisation could have been the Russian Federal Security Service.
On 14 October, *The Diplomatic Affairs* published a report on Patel’s arrival in the Russian capital. The publication states that meetings with FSB leadership and other senior officials are scheduled during the visit. However, there is currently no independent confirmation of the FBI director’s actual arrival. It is also unclear whether the previously agreed schedule for his stay in Russia has changed.
How the Kremlin responded to the reports about Patel
Spokesperson for the Russian President Dmitry Peskov On 14 October, he answered journalists’ questions regarding a possible visit by the Director of the FBI. According to him, visits by heads of foreign intelligence services are not usually announced publicly. The Kremlin spokesperson therefore declined to confirm reports of the American official’s visit.
Peskov did not say whether Patel was due to hold talks with Vladimir Putin or other members of the Russian leadership.
What might the American and Russian intelligence services be discussing?
The exact agenda for the talks has not been officially released. However, back in August, Reuters reported that, under Patel’s leadership, the FBI was expanding its law enforcement contacts with Russia and China. Areas of cooperation cited included the fight against international cybercrime, drug trafficking and crimes against children.
It cannot be ruled out that these issues may be raised during any potential talks in Moscow. However, there is no confirmation of a specific schedule of meetings.
There has been opposition in the US to Patel’s visit
The director may visit FBI to Russia has caused concern amongst some US lawmakers and members of the intelligence community.
Democratic Members of Congress Jamie Ruskin і Jim Himes called on Patel to cancel the trip. They expressed concerns that contacts with the Russian security services could pose risks to US national security.
According to *The Atlantic*, concerns also centre on the possibility that the Russian side could obtain sensitive information about US law enforcement and intelligence operations.
When the Director of the FBI last visited Russia
If Kesh Patel’s trip is confirmed, it will be the first known visit by a serving FBI director to Russia in the last 13 years. The previous such visit took place in 2013, when Russia was visited by Robert Mueller. He subsequently led a special investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election.
Reports of possible talks involving Patel emerged against the backdrop of Russia’s war against Ukraine and strained relations between Washington and Moscow.
