Russian FSB chief says his office still maintains direct contact with the CIA, despite diplomatic tensions

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) hasn’t cut off all contact with American intelligence agencies, despite the decline in U.S.-Russian relations, FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov revealed to journalists on Thursday, summarizing the results of a recent law enforcement conference in Krasnodar.

More than a hundred delegations from 76 countries took part in the conference, as well as representatives from the United Nations, European Union, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and Commonwealth of Independent States. According to Bortnikov, high-level representatives of the FBI and CIA were also present.

“We haven’t severed our contacts with our American partners, despite the problems that exist. There are direct contacts between the heads of intelligence services, primarily with the CIA. This relates not just to issues with Syria, but more generally to anti-terrorist matters,” Bortnikov said.

The FSB chief said Russia and the U.S. continue to help one another when they have information about potential threats. “We’re guided by these principles, and so are the Americans,” he explained.

• On October 5, 2017, FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov told reporters that his agents have reason to believe the perpetrators behind a wave of bomb threats are four Russian citizens living abroad. “Because they’re using IP-technology, pinpointing their location is difficult. We’re not the only ones to recognize this. Our [foreign] partners working with us on this recognize it, as well,” he said.