The heads of the CIA and the British Secret Intelligence Service, appearing together publicly for the first time in their agencies’ history, said in London on Saturday that Ukraine’s surprise attack in the Kursk region exposed weaknesses in Russia’s military and was “brave”. An attempt to “try to change the game” in the two-and-a-half-year-old war.
“The Kursk offensive was a major strategic achievement,” William J. Burns, the CIA director, said he had told President Vladimir V. Putin has “put a dent” in the narrative that Russia will grind Ukraine and exploit the split. In the Western Alliance to determine the terms of settlement.
Richard Moore, director of the British service, also known as MI6, said that “it was generally bold and brave for the Ukrainians to try and change the game,” adding, “I think they have changed to a degree. .story.”
For two of the world’s most powerful spy chiefs, it was a deeply familiar setting: sitting next to each other on a sofa, chatting about the most sensitive intelligence problems faced by their agencies, in front of an audience gathered by the Financial Times at an annual gala in which “We Stick How can we justify eating?” Featuring a champagne-tasting tent and panels on topics such as
Neither Mr. Burns nor Mr. Moore suggested that Kursk Offensive Will change the course of the war. Russian soldiers has continued What Mr. Moore described as his “Pyrrhic” march through Ukrainian territory. Both warned of dangerous new developments like those in Iran Transfer of Ballistic Missiles For Russia, that Mr Burns said would represent a “major advance”, although he did not confirm published reports that such a transfer of short-range missiles had already taken place.
But the invasion of Ukraine was perhaps the most encouraging development that Mr. Burns and Mr. Moore described a geopolitical landscape fraught with threats: from Russian intelligence agents in Europe, who Mr. Moore said had become “a little ferocious.” A hostage deal with Hamas, which Mr Burns said was now a “good enough” proposition, was the focus.
Both men intended to demonstrate the collaboration between the CIA and MI6. They beckoned Classification of intelligence An example of how the agencies worked together was Russia’s plan to invade Ukraine before the war — and it emerged somewhat from the shadows.
Both have themselves moved between the worlds of diplomacy and intelligence. Mr. Burns, 68, is Career diplomat who came to the CIA after serving as Deputy Secretary of State and Ambassador to Russia. Mr Moore, 61, rose to prominence as an intelligence officer before being appointed ambassador to Turkey.
Mr. Burns has also been heavily involved In trying to negotiate a deal to release Israeli and other hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. He said the United States hoped to present a detailed proposal in the coming days, though he played down the chances of success.
While Mr Burns said 90 per cent of the text had been agreed to by Israel and Hamas, the last 10 per cent was blocked. “The last 10 percent is the last 10 percent for a reason,” he said, “because it’s the hardest part to do.”
“This goes to a question of whether leaders on both sides are willing to recognize that enough is enough, and it’s time for me to make some tough choices,” Mr. Burns said.
Britain, under its new Labor government, has parted company with the United States over the Gaza war. He announced last week that he would Suspend certain arms exports to IsraelCiting a legal review, it concluded that the weapons could be used in a way that would violate humanitarian law.
Also on Ukraine, Britain has leaned more than the United States in support of the Ukrainian military, expressing a desire to use its Storm Shadow missiles in attacks on military targets inside Russia. President Biden has expressed concern that a strike inside Russian territory could escalate the conflict.
Mr. Burns and Mr. Moore made it clear to discuss those differences by focusing on common enemies like Mr. Putin. Mr Moore said Russia continued to try to destabilize European countries with intelligence operatives, who he said were waging an increasingly reckless campaign of sabotage.
For his part, Mr. Burns said the CIA is “very intensely focused” on the threat posed by Russian agents operating in Mexico, where there are reports that they are trying to encourage illegal immigration to the United States as a way to destabilize the country. During a presidential election year.
“Part of it is the work of a lot of Russian agents being kicked out of Europe,” Mr. Burns said. “So they’re looking for somewhere to go instead.”
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