World at most dangerous point in 40 years, MI6 chief warns [View all]

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Source: The Independent

The world is at its most dangerous point for 40 years, the head of MI6 has warned, accusing Russia of waging a “staggeringly reckless campaign” of sabotage in Europe to undermine support for Ukraine.

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“In 37 years in the intelligence profession I’ve never seen the world in a more dangerous state. And the impact on Europe, our shared European home, could hardly be more serious,” Sir Richard said, adding that if “Putin is allowed to succeed in reducing Ukraine to a vassal state he will not stop there”.

Sir Richard said MI6 “cherishes our heritage of covert action, which we keep alive today” – with British spies working to stop the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He warned that a victory for Mr Putin in Ukraine would jeapordise both European and transatlantic security, in what appeared a message to president-elect Donald Trump, with the incoming US leader having repeatedly complained about the amount of money and military aid Washington is sending to help Kyiv.

“We have recently uncovered a staggeringly reckless campaign of Russian sabotage in Europe, even as Putin and his acolytes resort to nuclear sabre-rattling to sow fear about the consequences of aiding Ukraine,” he said. “The cost of supporting Ukraine is well known but the cost of not doing so would be infinitely higher. If Putin succeeds China would weigh the implications, North Korea would be emboldened and Iran would become still more dangerous,” he added.

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Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/mi6-russia-sabotage-ukraine-europe-b2655960.html

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Full text of the speech:

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/speech-by-sir-richard-moore-chief-of-sis-29-november-2024

Speech by Sir Richard Moore, Chief of SIS, 29 November 2024
Sir Richard Moore, Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, discussed the UK-France intelligence relationship and the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale

From:
Secret Intelligence Service and Sir Richard Moore KCMG
Published
29 November 2024


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As I have warned previously, Russia should avoid the classic error of the authoritarian state, which confuses the splendidly irreverent clash and thunder of democracy, with weakness and irresolution.

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Since the summer, the UK has a new Prime Minister, France has a new government, and America has elected its next President.

For decades the US-UK intelligence alliance has made our societies safer; I worked successfully with the first Trump administration to advance our shared security and I look forward to doing so again.

Together, as allies, our collective strengths will outmatch and outlast Putin’s morally bankrupt axis of aggression.

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Trump of course is the wild card here, along with the other Putin sympathizers around him.

But MI6 knew what Trump was years ago...