CIA Director William Burns visited Ukraine amidst escalating conflict, a US official reveals.
Burns’s undisclosed journey took place as Ukraine’s military carried out an intensified pushback against Russian forces in the country’s east and south.
Burns’s visit underscored US support in sharing vital intelligence to bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression, the official, who requested anonymity, disclosed.
Potential plans for ceasefire talks
Citing The Washington Post, who first reported the visit, Ukrainian leaders laid out plans during this visit to reclaim territories occupied by Russian forces and broached ceasefire discussions to conclude by the end of the year end.
The official clarified that Burns’s trip happened in June and noted Burns’s regular travels to Ukraine since the onset of increased Russian hostility over a year ago.
The official further explained that the visit transpired prior to the 24-hour mutiny attempt on 24 June, by the head of Russian paramilitary group Wagner, Evgeny Prigozhin.
In a recent interview with The Washington Post, Valery Zaluzhny, the Chief Commander of the Ukrainian army, voiced that a shortage of weaponry, particularly fighter aircraft, hinders the Ukrainian counter-offensive.
