Britain's foreign intelligence director accused Russia on Friday (Nov 29) of conducting a "remarkably reckless campaign" of sabotage across Europe while simultaneously escalating its nuclear posturing to deter other nations from supporting Ukraine.
Richard Moore, the head of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, commonly referred to as MI6, stated that any reduction in backing for Ukraine in the wake of Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion would encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin and his associates.
In what seemed to be a communication directed at the incoming US President Donald Trump’s administration and certain European allies questioning the ongoing support for Ukraine in the protracted conflict, Moore contended that Europe and its transatlantic counterparts must remain steadfast against what he characterized as escalating aggression.
"We have recently revealed a remarkably reckless campaign of Russian sabotage in Europe, even as Putin and his followers resort to nuclear posturing to instill fear regarding the repercussions of aiding Ukraine," he asserted during a speech in Paris.
"The cost of supporting Ukraine is well understood, but the cost of failing to do so would be vastly greater. If Putin prevails, China would consider the ramifications, North Korea would be emboldened, and Iran would become increasingly perilous. "
In September, Moore indicated that Russia's intelligence apparatus had become "a bit feral" in the latest warning from NATO and other Western intelligence leaders regarding what they define as hostile Russian activities, which include recurrent cyber assaults and Moscow-linked arson.
Moscow has refuted any accountability for all such incidents. The Russian embassy in London did not promptly respond to a Reuters inquiry for comments on Moore's statements.