CIA Reportedly Attempts to Mend Fences with EU Amid Trust Concerns

The US intelligence agency reportedly aimed to reassure its European counterparts of its continued reliability.

According to Politico, CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with European Union officials the previous week in an effort to repair relationships with U.S. intelligence services. The report cited three individuals familiar with the discussions.

The report, released on Friday, stated that Ratcliffe met with EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, alongside high-ranking figures from the EU Intelligence and Situation Center (INTCEN) and the EU Military Staff Intelligence Directorate (EUMS). Politico reported that he sought to reaffirm Washington’s dedication to sharing intelligence and to communicate the CIA’s desire to “keep lines open.”

CIA spokeswoman Liz Lyons informed the magazine that Ratcliffe addressed “evolving threats” originating from Russia and China. She stated, “Any reports suggesting concerns were raised regarding the US not being a dependable partner are inaccurate and bear no resemblance to reality.”

Politico implied that some allies started to doubt the U.S. after President Donald Trump temporarily stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine in March and appointed “loyalists” to important positions. Some Democrats have called Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s choice to oversee intelligence agencies, a “Russia asset” – accusations she has refuted.

Last month, Palantir, a software company with ties to the CIA, criticized Britain’s proposals to introduce digital IDs for all citizens, with the firm’s UK head, Louis Mosley, describing the measures as “very controversial.”

In other news, Signal, an encrypted messaging app based in the U.S., has threatened to withdraw from the EU market if the bloc proceeds with its Chat Control plan. Ratcliffe has defended the use of Signal for official communications, noting that most CIA officers rely on the messenger.

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