CIA Director Burns: ¨Vladimir Putin 'almost' used nukes as intelligence chiefs warn...¨

Almost doesn´t count except in.....

Vladimir Putin 'almost' used nukes as intelligence chiefs warn of 'threat to world order'

by John O'sullivan

British and American intelligence experts have issued a stark warning about an unparalleled range of threats to global stability from China and Russia during a time of escalating conflict and division.

MI6 Chief Richard Moore and CIA Director William Burns addressed an audience at a London event on Saturday, outlining war, sabotage, and the rise of autocratic leaders as increasing threats to Western dominance.

They pointed out the challenges in resolving the Ukraine conflict, achieving peace in the Middle East, and dealing with China's growing influence. Speaking at the FT Weekend Festival at Kenwood House in London, MI6 head Moore acknowledged that the "Russian intelligence service has gone a bit feral" in his evaluation of the situation, reports The Mail Online.

Burns outlined how Vladimir Putin's "sabre rattling" almost saw the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine in 2022. He also highlighted that there is a "genuine risk" to the Russian threat, even with their recent military struggles in Ukraine.

Moscow Revises Nuclear Doctrine Amid Western Actions in Ukraine Conflict

Burns highlighted the "troubling" relationship forged between Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, pacts that he says could threaten Ukraine, as well as Western allies in the Middle East. Moore said it would be wrong to conflate a tight grip on power with a stable grip' in the context of Russia.

However, he suggested that Ukraine's recent incursion into the Kursk oblast was a "significant achievement" that could alter the narrative of the war, although it was "too early" to predict how long Kyiv could maintain its position.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently urged Western allies to permit Kyiv to use supplied missiles for deeper strikes inside Russia, targeting locations from where Moscow launches aerial attacks.

Some nations, such as Britain, are believed to quietly back the idea, but others, including Germany and the U.S., have shown hesitation. US President Joe Biden has allowed Ukraine to use US-supplied missiles against Russia in self-defense, though these strikes have mostly been limited to cross-border targets considered direct threats, in order to avoid further escalating the conflict.

Before a joint public appearance, the two intelligence chiefs co-authored an article in the Financial Times, advocating for a ceasefire in Israel’s conflict with Hamas and highlighting their agencies' efforts through intelligence channels to promote restraint and de-escalation.

CIA Director Burns has played a key role in attempts to end the fighting, including a trip to Egypt in August for high-level discussions aimed at reaching a hostage deal and at least a temporary ceasefire.

While no agreement has been reached yet, U.S. officials insist a deal is near. Biden recently mentioned that "a couple more issues" still need to be resolved. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed reports of a breakthrough as "exactly inaccurate."

Speaking to a London audience, Burns said he couldn't predict how close negotiators were but noted they are finalizing detailed proposals expected to be presented soon. He added that while 90 percent of the text has been agreed upon, the final 10 percent remains the toughest part to negotiate.

Burns emphasized that resolving the conflict would require both Israel and Hamas to make difficult decisions and compromises. The US and UK both stand as strong allies of Israel, though Britain recently diverged by halting some arms exports to Israel over concerns they could be used to violate international law.

The intelligence chiefs’ remarks came ahead of a week of intensive trans-Atlantic diplomacy, including a Washington meeting between Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Their discussions are expected to focus on Ukraine, Gaza, and other global issues.

Adding to the deepening US-UK relations, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to visit London next week for talks with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and other officials. The US-UK strategic dialogue will take place on Monday and Tuesday, covering topics like Ukraine, the Middle East, China, and the Indo-Pacific region

In their FT article, Burns and Moore emphasized the importance of the trans-Atlantic relationship in confronting "an unprecedented array of threats," including an assertive Russia, an increasingly powerful China, and the persistent threat of international terrorism, all exacerbated by rapid technological advancements.

They underscored Russia's "reckless campaign of sabotage" across Europe and the "cynical use of technology to spread lies and disinformation designed to drive wedges between us."

The Biden administration has taken action against Moscow this week, seizing Kremlin-run websites and charging employees of Russian broadcaster RT. US officials have accused these individuals of secretly funding social media campaigns to disseminate pro-Kremlin messages and create discord during the November presidential election.

In addition, Western officials have linked Russia to several planned attacks in Europe, including an alleged scheme to set fire to Ukrainian-owned businesses in London.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ar-AA1qeZWF#