CIA chief discusses Naryshkin’s ‘impudent’ behavior at meeting in Turkey

CIA chief William Burns declared on the “impudent” behavior of Sergei Naryshkin, director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), during their meeting in Ankara in November 2022.

“There was a very provocative attitude from Naryshkin. A sense of arrogance and arrogance,” Burns said in an interview with CBS News.

According to the CIA chief, Naryshkin’s attitude “reflects his own opinion” of Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as his belief that he can “make time work for him”, “crush the Ukrainians”, “exhaust our European allies”. “and carry out an offensive” political fatigue.
Burns noted that he came to the talks in Ankara to warn his Russian colleague of the risk of using nuclear weapons. However, in an interview, the CIA chief called the meeting “rather depressing”.

Burns’ meeting with Naryshkin took place on November 14, 2022 in Ankara. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the talks took place at the request of US President Joe Biden to Putin. Director of SVR underline that the meeting in Turkey was devoted to discussing nuclear security and the conflict in Ukraine. At the White House, the purpose of these talks called maintain open communication channels with Russia on security issues between the two countries. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that intelligence chiefs have agreed in Ankara not to use nuclear weapons.

William BurnsGraeme Jennings/AP

What else did the head of the CIA say

Burns did not rule out that China could supply Russia with lethal weapons. At the same time, the intelligence chief noted that Beijing has not yet made a final decision on this issue.

“We are confident that the Chinese leadership is considering supplying lethal weapons,” Burns said, adding that Washington “has yet to see ‘evidence of actual deliveries’ of such weapons.”

In the event of a positive decision by the Chinese authorities, it “would be a very risky and unreasonable bet”, warned the head of the CIA.

Several media reported on China’s plans to supply artillery and drones to Russia in late February. US President Joe Biden declared who “does not expect” from Beijing a “great initiative” to supply weapons to Moscow. At the same time, he threatened the PRC with a response in the event of a positive decision.

Burns also said the military conflict in Ukraine and related events are of “special concern” to Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to him, there is no other leader in the world who would follow the developments on the contact line with great interest.
“I think in many ways he was appalled and sobered by what he saw,” the CIA chief said, suggesting Chinese leaders had become more skeptical of invading Taiwan. .
Additionally, Burns said the intelligence the United States passes to Ukraine enables the Ukrainian military to confront Russia with “courage and tenacity.”