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

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.

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.

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.