FBI Director Kash Patel Plans Trip to Russia in October – Politico

July 21, 2026 FBI Director Kash Patel. Gage Skidmore (CC BY-SA 2.0) FBI Director Kash Patel is planning a trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg in mid-October, Politico reported on Monday, citing a U.S. official and a person familiar with the travel arrangements. The precise agenda for Patel’s expected visit, which would mark the first trip by a sitting FBI director to Russia since 2013, remains undisclosed. Russia’s FSB security service is likely to host the director, the U.S. official said. It is not yet known whether Patel will meet with President Vladimir Putin or any senior Kremlin aides. On Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to confirm or deny the trip, telling reporters during a daily briefing that “these kinds of visits usually happen behind closed doors.” If confirmed, Patel’s trip would build on a broader series of high-level engagements between Kremlin and Trump administration officials aimed at improving bilateral relations and negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner have visited Russia multiple times as part of Ukraine peace talks. The report about Patel’s expected visit comes shortly after Russian state media framed the appearance by Trump’s White House ballroom commissioner at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum last month as evidence of a diplomatic “pivot toward Russia.” Read more about: United States , FBI Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Tara Reade, Biden Assault Accuser, Returns to U.S. From Russia to Press Charges “I am in the USA, and I hope to have some measure of justice,” Reade wrote. 2 Min read Kremlin Condemns Political Violence After Trump Assassination Attempt The Russian Foreign Ministry meanwhile called on the U.S. to "take stock" of its "policies of incitement to hatred." 2 Min read U.S. Journalist Evan Gershkovich Goes on Trial for Espionage in Closed Russian Court His employer, The Wall Street Journal, has already slammed the trial as a “sham” process. 5 Min read Russian Media Blames U.S. Diplomat for Embassy Incident, Despite Video ADD CORRECT TEXT