CIA boss Moscow trip was about Iran, not the Baltics, ex-Estonian president tells Euronews

Key Points:

• Former Estonian president Toomas Hendrik Ilves expressed skepticism that CIA Director John Ratcliffe's visit to Moscow was primarily to warn Russia against escalating tensions in the Baltic states, suggesting Washington's main concern is Iran and Russian support to Tehran.
• Ilves questioned the narrative that Ratcliffe's trip was about Baltic security, noting no change in US threat assessments or increased activity in the region, and suggested the focus on the Baltics might be a diversion from the real issues discussed.
• He dismissed recent warnings about a heightened Russian military threat to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania as "spin," arguing Russia has little incentive to provoke NATO while engaged in the Ukraine conflict and could instead focus on non-NATO neighbors.
• Ilves anticipated that the CIA director's talks with Russian intelligence likely included a firm warning regarding Iran, implying possible US retaliatory measures if Moscow continued aiding Tehran, rather than a simple diplomatic request.
• He expressed doubt that Ukraine is part of any bargaining chip between the US and Russia over Iran, pointing out Europe's significant role in supporting Ukraine and the limited leverage Washington holds in negotiations involving the conflict.