The leaders of the UK’s MI6 and the US CIA have commended Ukraine for its surprising and audacious incursion into Russian territory, a move that could potentially shift the dynamics of the ongoing 2 1/2-year conflict. Speaking at a rare joint public event in London, MI6 Chief Richard Moore and CIA Director William Burns emphasized the significance of Ukraine’s offensive in Russia’s Kursk region, which has resulted in the capture of approximately 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of land.
Richard Moore lauded Ukraine’s actions as “typically audacious and bold,” noting that the offensive has brought the realities of war closer to ordinary Russians. He characterized the operation as a strategic move by Kyiv to change the war’s trajectory.
William Burns echoed Moore’s sentiments, calling the operation a “significant tactical achievement” that has exposed weaknesses in the Russian military. However, he cautioned that it remains unclear whether Ukraine can leverage these gains into a sustained strategic advantage. Despite the offensive, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s focus continues to be on the eastern front, particularly the city of Pokrovsk.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been vocal in urging Western allies to allow the use of their missiles to strike deep into Russian territory. While the UK is believed to tacitly support this, other nations like Germany and the US have been more hesitant, concerned about escalating the conflict further.
Burns stressed the importance of being “mindful” of the risks of escalation, recalling a moment in late 2022 when there was a genuine threat of Russia deploying tactical nuclear weapons. However, he urged the West not to be intimidated by Russia’s saber-rattling.
The CIA Director also expressed concern over the growing defense collaboration between Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. He highlighted North Korea’s supply of ammunition and missiles to Russia and Iran’s provision of drones, warning that these alliances pose a significant threat to both Ukraine and Western interests in the Middle East.
While there is no concrete evidence that China has supplied weapons to Russia, Burns noted the increasing support short of direct military aid and warned Iran against supplying ballistic missiles to Moscow, which would represent a “dramatic escalation.”
Ahead of their appearance at the FT Weekend Festival in London, Burns and Moore co-authored an opinion piece in the Financial Times, calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Burns has been actively involved in efforts to negotiate an end to the fighting, though progress has been slow, with only minor agreements in place.
The joint appearance by the spy chiefs comes ahead of a significant week of US-UK diplomatic engagements, including meetings between President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The discussions are expected to cover Ukraine, the Middle East, and other pressing global issues.
In their remarks, both Moore and Burns underscored the resilience of the trans-Atlantic alliance in the face of growing threats from Russia, China, and international terrorism, which have been exacerbated by rapid technological changes. They also highlighted Russia’s increasing use of sabotage and disinformation campaigns aimed at sowing discord in Europe and the US.
Moore pointed out that Russia’s intelligence services are becoming increasingly reckless and desperate in their actions, warning of their growing unpredictability.