Ex-MI6 Chief Claims Western Europe is 'at war' with Russia
According to the former head of MI6, Britain ought to perceive the conflict in Ukraine as an “actual war” with Russia. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The UK must remain vigilant against potential acts of sabotage, according to former MI6 chief Richard Dearlove.
Dearlove, who held the position from 1999 to 2004, expressed his views during a discussion with journalist Sophy Ridge on Sky News on Wednesday. He urged the UK government to approach the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as “an actual war” with Russia.
In the conversation, Ridge pointed out that Moscow had recently placed numerous UK officials on a blacklist and inquired about how Britain should respond.
“We have to face up to the fact that the Russians think they’re in a state of war with us,” Dearlove remarked. He further highlighted Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk's characterization of the situation as a pre-war state, asserting, “I think he’s wrong. I think it’s an actual war.”
Dearlove elaborated, stating, “Now, that doesn’t mean in the Russian mind, the military conflict, but it means hybrid conflict or different types of conflict in different arenas of interest,” while also warning of potential “sabotage.”
Despite the exceptional nature of the conflict, he suggested that the UK should maintain some channels of communication with Russia: “It’s probably better to have some sort of dialogue with them than no contact at all,” he stated.
In addition, Russian officials have consistently claimed that the military assistance provided by Western nations to Ukraine constitutes a direct involvement in the war.
As one of Ukraine’s principal arms suppliers, the UK has sent various military equipment, including Challenger 2 tanks and more recently, additional Anglo-French Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG cruise missiles, according to Bloomberg reports about the government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Russian President Vladimir Putin contends that Ukrainian strikes using advanced long-range missiles would be unattainable without NATO personnel's direct participation, warning of potential retaliation against such attacks on Russian territory.
Moreover, Moscow has accused the US and the UK of being responsible for the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, which were designed to transport Russian gas to Germany via the Baltic Sea. Both countries, however, have rejected these accusations.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
Dearlove, who held the position from 1999 to 2004, expressed his views during a discussion with journalist Sophy Ridge on Sky News on Wednesday. He urged the UK government to approach the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as “an actual war” with Russia.
In the conversation, Ridge pointed out that Moscow had recently placed numerous UK officials on a blacklist and inquired about how Britain should respond.
“We have to face up to the fact that the Russians think they’re in a state of war with us,” Dearlove remarked. He further highlighted Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk's characterization of the situation as a pre-war state, asserting, “I think he’s wrong. I think it’s an actual war.”
Dearlove elaborated, stating, “Now, that doesn’t mean in the Russian mind, the military conflict, but it means hybrid conflict or different types of conflict in different arenas of interest,” while also warning of potential “sabotage.”
Despite the exceptional nature of the conflict, he suggested that the UK should maintain some channels of communication with Russia: “It’s probably better to have some sort of dialogue with them than no contact at all,” he stated.
In addition, Russian officials have consistently claimed that the military assistance provided by Western nations to Ukraine constitutes a direct involvement in the war.
As one of Ukraine’s principal arms suppliers, the UK has sent various military equipment, including Challenger 2 tanks and more recently, additional Anglo-French Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG cruise missiles, according to Bloomberg reports about the government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Russian President Vladimir Putin contends that Ukrainian strikes using advanced long-range missiles would be unattainable without NATO personnel's direct participation, warning of potential retaliation against such attacks on Russian territory.
Moreover, Moscow has accused the US and the UK of being responsible for the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, which were designed to transport Russian gas to Germany via the Baltic Sea. Both countries, however, have rejected these accusations.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
