Former MI6 head Richard Dearlove has stated that Europe is already engaged in “an actual war” with Russia, contradicting Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s description of the situation as a “pre-war” phase. Dearlove emphasized that Russia views itself at war with the West, engaging in a hybrid warfare strategy across multiple sectors. He warned that the ongoing conflict has already spilled beyond Ukraine’s borders and has put the Western coalition in a precarious position.
As the situation intensifies, Dearlove cautioned that Western nations, including the U.S. under President-elect Donald Trump, may soon face challenges in maintaining unified support for NATO and Ukraine.
While Dearlove suggested that engaging in dialogue with Russia might be necessary, he acknowledged that President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to be receptive to such talks. The former MI6 chief expressed concern over the dangerous trajectory of the conflict and the difficulty of resolving it diplomatically in the current climate.
