The head of the UK’s MI6, Sir Richard Moore, has issued a stark warning about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, expressing concerns over the potential escalation of the conflict into a global crisis, sparking fears of World War III.
In a press briefing on September 19, Moore highlighted the lack of genuine interest from Russian President Vladimir Putin in peace talks, claiming that Putin is “stringing us along” while pursuing his imperial ambitions. He accused the Russian leader of underestimating the strength and resilience of Ukraine, which he said has defied expectations in its defense against Russia’s invasion.
Moore described Putin’s approach as one where he seeks to impose his will “by all means at his disposal,” but insisted that he cannot succeed. The MI6 chief further remarked that Putin had “bitten off more than he can chew” and had initially expected a swift victory, but instead is facing a prolonged conflict.
The comments came just days after former President Donald Trump, during a visit to the UK, admitted that Putin had “let him down.” Trump had previously believed his personal relationship with Putin could help broker peace, but that effort has seemingly faltered.
The war, which began in February 2022, has caused tens of thousands of casualties. Moore stated that the conflict is pushing Ukraine closer to the West, while Russia is facing a decline. He accused Putin of “lying” to the world, his people, and possibly even to himself, as the war continues to erode Russia’s future.
In his speech, Moore also announced the launch of a new MI6 tool, “Silent Courier,” aimed at recruiting spies from within Russia. He appealed to those inside Russia with information to come forward and share it with MI6.
Moore, who is stepping down after five years at the helm of MI6, also noted that his successor, Blaise Metreweli, would be the first woman to lead the intelligence agency.
