VIDEO: Sen. Moran Questions CIA Director Ratcliffe on Operation Epic Fury’s Impact on the War in Ukraine

WASHINGTON
– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) – a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence – yesterday questioned Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe during a hearing to review the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s (DNI) 2026 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community. During the hearing, Sen. Moran questioned Director Ratcliffe on how U.S. military operations in Iran are affecting the ability of Ukraine to succeed in defending its borders against Russian aggression.
“U.S. support for Ukraine includes military and other assistance, but also we’ve undertaken economic sanctions against Russia for their invasion of Ukraine,”
said Sen. Moran.
“[Operation] Epic Fury has caused a significant increase in oil prices, and the administration has waived sanctions against Russian oil companies, which is reported to say that Russia is receiving $150 million per day as a result of the waiver. What can you tell me about our plans or your understanding of what is transpiring as a result of Operation Epic Fury in regard to those oil revenues that are now being generated in favor of Russia and the lifting of the sanctions at least for a temporary period of time?”
“Sometimes policymakers have to take steps that, while they may benefit adversaries like Russia or China, do so because they also think it will benefit U.S. citizens, and in this case, with respect to keeping the economy on track and keeping oil prices low,”
responded Director Ratcliffe.
“So, what I can tell you is the intelligence is thoughtfully considered, and I think that policymakers have taken that. I’m confident that we can walk and chew gum at the same time, pursue objectives in the Middle East and provide support with regard to the conflict in Russia and the Russian aggression in Ukraine.”
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