News - World: Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) William Burns paid a secret visit to Kiev last week, discussing the escalation of tensions with Russia over Ukraine.

Citing two sources familiar with the trip, CNN reported on Tuesday that Burns met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Ukrainian capital last Wednesday.

Burns “had the opportunity to discuss the current situation with President Zelensky and efforts to de-escalate tensions,” a US official said. The CIA chief also “consulted with intelligence counterparts amid concerns of a further invasion of Ukraine by Russia.”

The visit comes amid heightened tensions on the Russian-Ukrainian border, with the US, Ukraine, and several other Western countries accusing Russia of planning “an invasion” of Ukraine. Russia rejects the allegations and says deployments near the Ukrainian border are defensive in nature.

Burns’ visit to Ukraine was followed by the visit of a delegation of US senators to the country, which happened on Monday.

Source: Press TV