Putin, provocative gesture before Trump's ad. What did he send through the emissary who was in Moscow
Vladimir Putin receives Steve Witkoff at Kremlin Photo: Gavriil Grigorov / Zuma Press / Profimedia
Russian President Vladimir Putin handed over to President Trump, Steve Witkoff, a distinction to be transmitted to a High CIA official whose son was killed in Ukraine while fighting with Russian forces, according to sources quoted by CBS News.
The distinction, the order of Lenin, was to be handed Juliane Gallina, whose 21 -year -old son, Michael Gloss, was killed in 2024.
Gallina is currently working at the CIA as deputy director for digital innovation. CBS News specifies that he could not find out what happened to the distinction.
Several sources have told American television that Putin handed him Witkoff's distinction during his visit to Russia this week, who, according to a Russian official, was initiated by the US to discuss the conclusion of the Ukraine war.
Putin's gesture, known for mental games and attempts to expose the weaknesses of the opponents, was probably meant to raise unnecessary questions and emphasize that the son of an official CIA fought for Russia in war.
In a statement from April, the CIA officials said that the death of Gallina's son, who was fighting with mental health problems, was not a national security issue. Two sources familiar with this case told CBS News that there are no indications that Gloss had been recruited by the Russian government and that the Kremlin did not seem to be aware of the past of Gloss's family when he repatriated the remains.
White House, CIA and Witkoff spokes have not responded to CBS News requests to comment on the information.
A spokesman for the Russian Embassy contacted by CBS News said that there is no official comment and that the Kremlin or Ministry of Foreign Affairs have not publicly confirmed the distinction.
The Lenin Order is a distinction of the Soviet era meant to reward exceptional civil services. It was granted to high -ranking spies, including the British Kim Philby, a double agent of the Soviet Union. Gallina's son was never an employee of the CIA, according to a person familiar with this subject.
Gloss's father, Larry Gloss, a veteran of the Iraq war, said in an interview with Washington Post that he and Gallina did not know that their son was in Ukraine or that he had enlisted in the Russian army.
Shortly after the visit of Witkoff to Moscow, US President Donald Trump announced that he will meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, on Friday, August 15, in Alaska.
