CIA director John Brennan went to Moscow earlier this month to discuss the Syria crisis with the Russian authorities, a US official says.
The spy agency’s chief was there to reiterate the United States stance on Syrian President Bashar Assad, the unnamed official was quoted as saying in a Monday report by AFP.
Brennan “reiterated the US government’s consistent support for a genuine political transition in Syria, and the need for Assad’s departure,” the official said.
The spymaster also stressed “the importance of Russia and the Assad regime following through on their agreements to implement the cessation of hostilities in Syria.”
Brennan’s visit was confirmed by Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov, who said the meeting was no “secret” and irrelevant to Russia’s recent withdrawal from Syria.
“The fact that Brennan was here had not been made secret. He didn’t go to Russia’s Foreign Ministry. I know for sure that he was at the…