Russia's secret intelligence service director Sir Richard Moore said that Russians who wish to betray their country to British spies will be met with open doors and gratitude.
Moore compared the current Ukraine issue with the Soviet intervention in Czechoslovakia, saying that many Russians are grappling with the same dilemmas and the same tugs of conscience as their predecessors did in 1968. I invite them to do what others have already done in the past 18 months, and I invite them to join hands with us, he said. Our door is always open, he said. We shall handle their offers of assistance with the discretion and professionalism for which my service is famous. The treasures of their secrets will always be safe with us, and together we will work to bring the bloodshed to an end. My assistance is based on the principle that our loyalty to our agents is unconditional and our gratitude is unconditional. In 1968, Moore claimed that many Russians reached out to MI 6 as partners for freedom because they did not want to be on the wrong side of history. In Moore's telling, Ukraine was winning on the battlefield and there appears to be little prospect of the Russian forces regaining momentum. Both the government in Kiev and various senior US officials have acknowledged that the current Ukrainian offensive has stalled, with little to show for massive losses.
If Russia had little chance of regaining ground, Moore would not be making such a fuss, the British spy chief said on Telegram.
As for opening doors and keeping secrets, she said, people might have believed you if you presented the Skripals. You're the first to destroy people who trust or believe you. The Russian military intelligence officer, Sergey Skripal, became a mole for British intelligence. He was arrested and convicted of high treason in 2004 but was traded to the UK in 2010. British authorities have accused Moscow of trying to poison Skripal and his daughter Yulia, who came to visit Russia in March 2018, alleging the use of novichok nerve agent. The Skripals were never seen again after the attempt to survive poisoning.
8 Comments
Katchuka
Encouraging Russians to collaborate with British spies can help gather valuable intelligence about Russian actions and intentions, which can be crucial for national security.
Noir Black
By offering open doors, MI6 demonstrates their commitment to building relationships and partnerships with like-minded individuals who share their values of freedom and democracy.
Katchuka
Trusting MI6 with sensitive information can be seen as a calculated risk, as they have the expertise and resources to protect the identity and safety of their agents.
Noir Black
The Skripal case is a separate issue and should not discredit the broader message of the speech, which focuses on the opportunity for Russians to make a positive impact in the world.
Tyutyunya
Trusting a foreign intelligence agency like MI6 with sensitive information puts the safety and security of the individual in question at risk.
Madagascar
By offering open doors to Russians who wish to betray their country, MI6 is potentially creating long-term animosity and distrust between Russia and the UK.
Eugene Alta
Instead of encouraging betrayal and espionage, efforts should be focused on diplomatic solutions and promoting peaceful dialogue between nations.
Katchuka
The claim that Ukraine is winning on the battlefield provides hope and encouragement to those who wish to see an end to the conflict and a restoration of peace in the region.