Russia's Spy Chief Will Not Congratulate The CIA On Its 75th Anniversary This Sunday

Russian Foreign Intelligence Service head Sergey Naryshkin © Sputnik / Mikhail Klimentyev

RT: Russian chief spy says he won’t congratulate CIA 

The US agency’s 75-year history is made up of scandals, provocations, and meddling in other countries, Sergey Naryshkin explained 

The head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Sergey Naryshkin has said he won’t send any greetings to the US Central Intelligence Agency on its upcoming 75th anniversary. 

He cited the organization’s controversial activities and “provocations against sovereign states” as his reasons.  

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Update: Russian intel chief points to CIA’s history of sabotage acts against sovereign states (TASS)  

WNU Editor: The Central Intelligence Agency was created on July 26, 1947, when US President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act into law. But the CIA was officially formed on September 18, 1947.

Russian SVR Spy Chief Naryshkin Visits Armenia Three Days After CIA Director Burns Did

Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, meets with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on July 18.

RFE: Russian Spy Chief Visits Armenia Three Days After CIA Director 

The head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian in Yerevan on July 18, three days after CIA Director William Burns made an unexpected visit to Armenia. 

The Armenian government's press office said Sergei Naryshkin discussed "international and regional security" and the "processes taking place in the South Caucasus" with Pashinian. It did not elaborate. 

The office used the same words in a statement on Pashinian's meeting with Burns on July 15. It said they also touched upon "the fight against terrorism." 

Neither the CIA nor the U.S. State Department has commented on what was the first-ever publicized visit to Armenia by a CIA director.  

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Update: Russian Spy Chief Meets Armenian PM Days After CIA Chief Burns Did (Reuters)  

WNU Editor: Details on CIA Director Burns visit to Armenia is here .... CIA Director Meets With Armenian Prime Minister, Security Council Secretary In Yerevan (RFE). 

I do not believe in coincidences. The odds of CIA Director Burns and the head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Sergei Naryshkin being in the same city meeting the same people all within a few days are next to impossible. 

One has to wonder if Armenia is being used as a back-channel by the U.S. and Russia? Hmmm .... my gut says yes.

On Its 100th Anniversary Russian President Putin Praises The Country's Intelligence Agency

Putin braved frigid temperatures to give his speech outside the SVR's headquarters. 'I wish success to everyone who defends Russia, our people from external and internal threats, defends sovereignty and national interests,' he said 

Daily Mail: 'The most serious attention should be paid to information security': Putin in sly dig at Russia's cyber attack on America as he welcomes new spooks during 100th anniversary of country's intelligence agency 

 * Vladimir Putin lauded the SVR foreign intelligence service at an event marking its 100th anniversary on Sunday 

 * 'I wish success to everyone who defends Russia, our people from external and internal threats, defends sovereignty and national interests,' he said in a speech 

 * 'The most serious attention should be paid to information security,' he stressed 

 * Putin did not make any reference to allegations that the SVR launched a massive operation against the US government * US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Russia for the attack on Friday 

 * President Donald Trump condemned Pompeo's remarks on Saturday and shifted blame toward China while downplaying the severity of the attack 

Vladimir Putin has given his personal backing to the Russian intelligence agency accused of launching a massive cyberattack against the US government. 

The Kremlin leader appeared at the headquarters of the SVR, Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, to mark its 100th anniversary on Sunday. 

While not referring to hacking, Putin lauded the work of intelligence agents in protecting Russia on an annual holiday for the country's intelligence officers. 

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 More News On President Putin Praising The Country's Intelligence Agency 

Keep up the good work, Putin tells spy agency staff (Reuters) 

Russia needs to protect borders given risks of smoldering regional conflicts - Putin (TASS) 

Putin publicly praises Russian intelligence agency implicated in massive U.S. government hack (The Week)