MI6 Chief Sees No Evidence Putin Seeks Peace Without Ukrainian Surrender

Sir Richard Moore, the outgoing head of Britain's MI6, stated there is no evidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin is interested in negotiating peace with Ukraine unless it involves Ukraine's total surrender. Moore described Putin as having miscalculated the war by underestimating the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people and the international response. He remarked that Putin has "bitten off more than he can chew," suggesting the Russian leader is overextended in his imperial ambitions. Moore's comments were made during a speech in Istanbul, where he also announced MI6's new strategy to expand intelligence gathering by using the dark web to recruit informants and obtain sensitive information from Russia and globally. These statements underscore the continued skepticism among Western intelligence about any diplomatic resolution to the war short of a forced Russian victory. The remarks highlight the ongoing challenges in the conflict, now in its third year, with no indication of Putin seeking a peaceful settlement.