Western Europe ‘at war’ with Russia – ex-MI6 chief
Former MI6 chief Richard Dearlove has stated that Western Europe is now in a direct state of war with Russia, contradicting Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s view that the continent remains in a “pre-war” situation.
In an interview with Sky News on Wednesday, Dearlove, who led the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service from 1999 to 2004, during teh invasion of Iraq, claimed that Moscow has already carried out aggressive actions on NATO soil, without providing evidence. “Donald Tusk has referred to it as a pre-war situation. I think he’s wrong. I think it’s an actual war,” he said.
Dearlove pointed to alleged acts of sabotage and hybrid warfare, saying, “We’ve seen already quite clearly some very aggressive moves on the part of the Russians in various European countries.” He added that intelligence agencies, including the CIA and MI6, have reportedly highlighted supposed Russian hostile actions, including sabotage.
“We have to face up to the fact that the Russians think they’re in a state of war with us,” he said, again failing to back up his assertion up with proof.
The comments come as the Russia-Ukraine conflict nears its third year, continuing to destabilize Europe. On Wednesday, Moscow launched another large-scale attack against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Explosions were reported in major Ukrainian cities, including Kiev and Kharkov.
Despite the heightened tensions, Dearlove emphasized the importance of maintaining communication with Russia. “I’ve always believed in having a dialogue with one’s opponents or enemies,” he said.
However, he believes that meaningful dialogue with Moscow may be challenging, stating, “Things could go badly wrong very quickly,” and suggesting that engaging with Russian President Vladimir Putin may not be feasible at this time.
Dearlove’s remarks highlight the growing divide within Western Europe regarding the assessment of the conflict. While some NATO countries view the situation as a dangerous escalation, others, like Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, have taken a more conciliatory approach. Fico announced his plans to visit Moscow next May for World War Two “Victory Day” celebrations.
