MI6 chief warns Russia's nuclear threats seek to discourage Ukraine support

Richard Moore, the Chief of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, also known as MI6, former UK ambassador to Türkiye (Courtesy of Yahoo)

Richard Moore, head of Britain's MI6 and former U.K. ambassador to Türkiye, warned on Friday that Russia is running a "staggeringly reckless" sabotage campaign in Europe while escalating nuclear threats to dissuade support for Ukraine.

Big picture

Moore urged the West to stand firm in supporting Ukraine, warning that any weakening of support would embolden Russia and pose a broader threat to global security.
He also stressed the importance of Western solidarity in countering Putin’s growing reliance on China, North Korea, and Iran.

What MI6 chief said

"The cost of supporting Ukraine is well known, but the cost of not doing so would be infinitely higher," Moore argued.
He emphasized that if Putin succeeds in reducing Ukraine to a vassal state, global security—especially in Europe and the trans-Atlantic alliance—will be jeopardized.

A view of damaged buildings and businesses following an attack by Russian warplanes on the towns of Daret Izzah and Atarib in western Aleppo province, northern Syria, which resulted in the deaths of 12 civilians and injuries to at least 30 others, on November 28, 2024. (AA Photo)" alt="MI6 chief warns Russia's nuclear threats seek to discourage Ukraine support">

A Ukrainian law enforcement officer instects a crater in the courtyard of a residential building following a missile attack in Kharkiv on November 25, 2024. (AFP Photo)

Sabotage and nuclear threats

U.K.'s MI6 chief Moore revealed that Russia has been involved in a widespread campaign of sabotage in Europe, including cyberattacks and arson, aimed at destabilizing Western unity.
At the same time, Russia has ramped up nuclear threats to scare nations into halting their support for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) with President-elect Donald Trump (R) during a meeting in New York, U.S., Sept. 27, 2024. (AFP Photo)

Context

Moore’s comments come as some U.S. Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump, question continued U.S. support for Ukraine.
He also highlighted the global security risks posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the resurgence of Daesh.

Bottom line

Moore called for continued Western solidarity in the face of rising global threats, emphasizing that the collective strength of Britain and its allies would outweigh Putin's growing alliances with authoritarian regimes.

November 29, 2024 05:17 PM GMT+03:00