The head of British intelligence MI6, Richard Moore, called Russia an “objectively weakening” power presenting a problem.
According to him, the Russian Federation is weakening economically and demographically. At the same time, Moore believes that Russia is one of the most serious problems, and allegedly London has already warned Moscow about “serious consequences” due to military exercises and the redeployment of troops to the border with Ukraine.
In addition, Moore compared the relations between Moscow and Kiev with the situation in Russian-Czech relations.
He considered Russia’s behavior “reckless” and noted that the UK is keen to work closely with allies to “send signals” to Moscow.
“She (Russia – Ed.) Is going through an extremely difficult period,” Moore added in an interview with the Sunday Times on April 25.
On April 17, the Czech Republic accused the Russian special services of involvement in the explosions of ammunition depots in Vrbetica in 2014. Prague expelled 18 Russian diplomats, and after Moscow’s retaliatory actions, several dozen more employees of the Russian embassy were expelled. As a result of mutual actions, as explained in the Foreign Ministry, by May 31, seven diplomats, 25 technical staff and 19 people received locally will remain in the embassies of the Czech Republic and the Russian Federation. The Russian side categorically rejected the accusations of the Czech Republic.
On April 23, Jeremy Fleming, director of the British Government Communications Center (GCHQ), said that Russia and China are of serious concern to Britain’s national intelligence. According to him, Russia remains the most serious threat to national security.
On April 18, the Russian ambassador to London, Andrei Kelin, stated that for almost a year and a half after his appointment, relations between Russia and the UK had deteriorated, contrary to his initial hopes. According to him, the kingdom’s authorities continue to ignore all offers of Russia for cooperation and continue talking about the “Russian threat.”
Moscow has repeatedly noted that Western countries frighten each other with a non-existent threat from Russia, using this as an excuse to build up a military contingent near the country’s borders.