World increasingly dangerous and Putin won't stop at Ukraine, warns head of MI6
The head of MI6 has said the world is the most dangerous it has been in his 37-year intelligence career - as he warned Vladimir Putin would not stop at Ukraine.
Sir Richard Moore, the chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, better known as MI6, said a Russian victory in Ukraine would endanger Western security, and so support for Kyiv must continue.
"Our security - British, French, European and transatlantic - will be jeopardised," Sir Richard said in a speech to French officials at the British embassy in Paris.
"The cost of supporting Ukraine is well known, but the cost of not doing so would be infinitely higher."
The spy chief's message comes as fears continue to grow that Donald Trump could pull the plug on US military aid to Ukraine once he enters the White House next year.
He warned a Russian victory would also strengthen Moscow's allies of China, North Korea and Iran.
Sir Richard also accused Russia of a "staggeringly reckless campaign" of sabotage in Europe while "nuclear sabre-rattling" in an attempt to deter nations from backing Ukraine.
His comments came after a senior Cabinet minister warned Russia would seek to weaken support for Ukraine by preparing to launch a series of cyber attacks on Britain and other Nato members.
Strength in numbers
Sir Richard, who appeared alongside his French counterpart to mark 120 years of the Entente Cordiale between Britain and France, said Nato was now stronger since the full-scale Russian invasion of 2022, but the alliance was well aware more needs to be done.
"That's why the British Government has committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence," he said.
"But we should never doubt that our alliance has strength in numbers, both economic and military, and our unity of purpose makes that count.
"Putin, by contrast, is jeopardising Russia’s future, pouring vast sums into his military machine and squandering tens of thousands of lives - Russian and now North Korean - in his catastrophic conflict."
Russia not the only threat to peace
Away from Ukraine, Sir Richard discussed threats in the Middle East.
"The menace of terrorism has not gone away," he warned.
"After retreating in Syria and Iran, Islamic State is again expanding its reach, inflicting deadly attacks in both Iran and Russia.
"The Taliban, the hosts of Al Qaeda, once again rule Afghanistan.
"And we have yet to have a full reckoning with the radicalising impact of the fighting and terrible loss of innocent life in the Middle East after the horrors of 7 October.
"We and our allies agree on the imperative of de-escalation, breaking the cycle of violence and delivering the ceasefire in Gaza that follows the hard-won truce in Lebanon."
He also issued a warning over Iran, noting its nuclear ambitions as a continued threat.
"Iran’s allied militias across the Middle East have suffered serious blows," he said.
"But the regime's nuclear ambitions continue to threaten all of us, especially friends of France and the UK in the Gulf region, and the Iranian regime maintains its efforts to eliminate dissidents, home and abroad."
The MI6 boss said the West needed to navigate the rise of an increasingly assertive China, stressing the need for a strong relationship.
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