Ukraine war briefing: Britain's spy chief to warn of Russia's expansionist threat' as Berlin talks enter second day

"The head of Britain's foreign spy service, known as MI6, will warn that Russia poses an aggressive, expansionist, and revisionist threat, in her first speech since taking office. Blaise Metreweli took over from Richard Moore in October, becoming the first female chief of MI6. [Vladimir] Putin should be in no doubt, our support is enduring. The pressure we apply on Ukraine's behalf will be sustained, Metreweli will say on Monday, according to advance extracts of her remarks."

"The export of chaos is a feature not a bug in the Russian approach to international engagement, and we should be ready for this to continue until Putin is forced to change his calculus, she said, according to the extract. Separately, Richard Knighton, head of Britain's armed forces, will also call in a separate speech on Monday for a whole society approach to defence in the face of growing uncertainty and threats, and highlight an increased probability of Russia invading a Nato country."

"The Ukrainian leader called on Sunday for a dignified peace and guarantees that Russia would not attack Ukraine as he attended talks with US figures in Berlin the latest efforts to end the war with Russia. Ukraine needs peace on dignified terms, and we are ready to work as constructively as possible. The coming days will be filled with diplomacy. It is critically important that it delivers results, Zelenskyy said on X."

Blaise Metreweli, the first female chief of MI6, portrays Russia as an aggressive, expansionist, and revisionist threat and vows sustained British support for Ukraine. Metreweli warns that the export of chaos is an intentional element of Russia's international approach and that pressure should continue until Putin changes his calculus. Britain's military chief, Richard Knighton, urges a whole-society defence posture amid rising uncertainty and warns of an increased probability of Russian aggression against a NATO country. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy calls for a dignified peace with guaranteed security, stresses practical guarantees, and expects diplomatic talks to deliver results.

Read at www.theguardian.com