Naryshkin viewed the November 2022 meeting with CIA director Burns in a positive light, suggesting that the discussions would not have exceeded two hours had either side carried themselves improperly.
“The meeting stretched to two and a half hours, and that alone indicates that if either party had acted arrogantly or rudely, it would not have lasted as long. It was a calm, constructive conversation”, Naryshkin stated.
In a prior account, Burns claimed that Naryshkin displayed arrogance during the Ankara talks in November. The head of the SVR offered his perspective on why Burns framed the encounter that way, noting that his own confidence came from listening not only to his own judgment but to the voices of millions of Russians.
Overall, Naryshkin described the Ankara meeting as meaningful and steady, emphasizing Burns’ diplomatic background while acknowledging that Burns may have less experience in the CIA director role at the time.
As early as January 17, Naryshkin told TASS that the November meeting carried significance and that both sides used the opportunity to clearly exchange positions and clarify intentions.
“It was very challenging”
In a CBS interview on February 26, Burns said that Naryshkin acted boldly and with arrogance during the Ankara session. He described the talks as rather discouraging overall.
Burns asserted that Naryshkin exhibited a defiant attitude and a marked sense of arrogance during the discussions.
According to Burns, Naryshkin’s demeanor reflected Vladimir Putin’s stance on the Ukraine conflict and the belief that Russia could prevail early, that time was on Moscow’s side, and that Western support for Kyiv would wane.
meeting in Ankara
National intelligence leaders convened in Ankara on January 14, 2022. Reports about the talks emerged from Kommersant on the afternoon of November 14. The SVR and the CIA did not offer official comments, noting that the meeting had not been publicly disclosed beforehand.
Later, Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary for the Russian president, could not confirm or deny the Ankara discussions at first, but he later acknowledged that talks had occurred.
Turkey declined to comment on the meeting between the Russian and American delegations. Turkish broadcaster NTV cited security service sources confirming that Burns and Naryshkin met at the Turkish National Intelligence headquarters in Ankara. The discussions did not address the Ukraine issue and instead focused on strategic stability, nuclear security, and the possibility of a prisoner exchange.
CNN reported that the United States was open to talks with Russia on risk management related to nuclear and strategic stability as part of those efforts.
The fate of basketball players Brittney Griner and Paul Willan was also touched upon during the discussions. Griner’s situation later involved a swap with Russian businessman Viktor Bout.
Burns indicated that no agreement on Ukraine was in sight. He noted that the talks conveyed the consequences of Russia’s use of nuclear weapons and the risks of escalating to broader strategic instability, a concern echoed by CNN in coverage from that period.
On December 1, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov alleged that the United States pressed for secrecy around the channel, but a leak indicated that Washington was involved once the American delegation arrived in Ankara.