CIA Chief: Nothing inappropriate in meeting with the Russians

He added that although Russia remains an opposing country, not taking advantage of the opportunity to co-operate in security issues, it would jeopardise the lives of American citizens.

Mr. Pompeo sent a letter Thursday to minority leader in Senate Chuck Schumer, who had raised questions about the meeting. Senator Schumer had indicated that the meeting was suspicious, as it came only days before the Trump administration's decision not to currently take new sanctions against Russian politicians and oligarchs about Russian intervention in the 2016 elections.

Mr. Pompeo wrote to Senator Schumer that American intelligence officials repeatedly meet with Russian counterparts to discuss various topics, including antiterrorism, aviation safety and the failure of foreign fighters to return to the US or Russia.

The CIA director did not identify by name the Russians he met with in Washington last week, but two American officials said they were Sergei Naryskin, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service and Alexander Bortnikov, who heads the KGB Federal Security Service. Officials spoke on condition of anonymity.

The two Russian intelligence officials were subject to sanctions in 2014 in response to Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine, Naryskin from the US and Bortnikov from the European Union.

Senator Schumer said sanctions on Naryskin defined severe financial penalties and prevented his US entry without giving up.

The CIA said that any interaction with foreign secret services officials committed to the head in accordance with the law and in consultation with relevant departments and agencies. / VoA