News / Foreign Policy

Putin slaps down 'new' MI6 Chief Richard Moore over anti-Russian comments

Saturday, 05 June 2021 4:23 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 05 June 2021 4:28 PM ]

Russian leader Vladmir Putin (L) has outmaneuvered the 17th Chief of MI6 Richard Moore (R)

Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has ridiculed the Chief of the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service (SIS – better known as MI6) after the latter made condescending remarks about Russia.

The Russian President asserted that Richard Moore is “new” to the role, after the latter described Russia as an “objectively declining power economically and demographically”.

Incoming MI6 Chief has strong diplomatic and intellignece background

In the latest leadership rotation in the British security and intelligence apparatus Richard Moore has been named as the incoming chief of MI6.

Moore replaced Alex Younger as Chief of MI6 last October.

Addressing a news conference in Moscow, Putin said: "You said that the new head of MI6 [Richard Moore] has given these assessments, so he is new and I think he is going to get some experience and he will probably revisit his assessments [sic] if Russia is a declining power”.

"So why bother? Why be concerned? Just live your life and don't try to spoil the Russian-British relations further", the Russian leader retorted in rhetorical tones.

Putin’s riposte came after the new MI6 leader accused Russia of “reckless behavior” in an interview with Time Radio.

Despite dismissing Russia as a declining power, Moore was at pains to explain that the UK is coordinating “closely” with allies to send “firm messages” to President Putin.

However, at the news conference President Putin was careful enough to send implicit conciliatory messages by claiming the two countries had seen “increased trade” last year despite the political tensions.

In a pointed message to the new MI6 Chief, President Putin said: "So if you don't try to interfere into this process then everything is going to be good".

The indirect spat between the Russian leader and the MI6 Chief comes on the heels of rising political, diplomatic and even military tensions between the old rivals.

Currently the political crisis in Ukraine is the locus of Anglo-Russian tensions, especially after the UK sent warships to the Black Sea as a demonstration of solidarity with Nato-aligned Ukraine.

Russia ‘monitoring’ Royal Navy vessel in Black Sea

Russia

Late last month a Russian security official claimed the Russian navy and air force had “expelled” a Royal Navy warship from Russian territorial waters near Crimea in October 2020.