'Don't spoil Russia-UK relations', Putin warns after MI6 chief's criticism

4 June 2021, 23:32 | Updated: 9 June 2021, 05:45

Putin says 'don't spoil Russian-British relations' after MI6 chief's criticism

Nick Hardinges

By Nick Hardinges

"Don't spoil Russia-UK relations", Vladimir Putin has warned after the head of MI6 criticised the Kremlin's "reckless behaviour" and branded the nation a "declining power".

The Russian President urged Richard Moore not to interfere in diplomacy between the two nations.

On Friday evening, he said the MI6 head is "new" to the role while suggesting the spy chief would "revisit his assessments" of Moscow.

Mr Moore, who became MI6's "C" in October, described the eastern European country as an "objectively declining power economically and demographically" while condemning Moscow's actions.

Read more: Queen's cousin accused of using royal status to 'sell access' to Putin

Watch: Putin's crackdown will 'bring Russia to civil war,' predicts Litvinenko widow

Vladimir Putin urged against interference in Russian-British relations
Vladimir Putin urged against interference in Russian-British relations. Picture: PA

Asked about the remarks in a press conference, Mr Putin said: "You said that the new head of MI6 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 (on) 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."

Speaking via video link from St Petersburg, the president said trade between Britain and Russia had increased last year, adding: "So if you don't try to interfere into this process then everything is going to be good."

Read more: Putin slams US and criticises its response to Capitol siege

Read more: Biden to meet Putin for Geneva summit, White House says

Litvinenko: 'Putin will bring Russia to civil war'

In April, Mr Moore spoke of his continued anger about the Novichok attack in Salisbury, in which two alleged Russian operatives targeted Sergei Skripal, a former Russian spy turned double agent for MI6.

He also highlighted allegations that Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU, was behind a blast at a Czech arms factory in 2014, killing two.

"When you get that pattern of reckless behaviour, of course you then look at what is happening around Ukraine and of course it worries us. It is why we have coordinated so closely with our allies to make sure we are getting firm messages back to President Putin," he said.

The spy chief then said the Russian leader's regime was under pressure as his country faced a decline.

"Russia is an objectively declining power economically and demographically," he added.

Navalny COS predicts downfall of Putin as pro-democracy movement rises

"It is an extremely challenged place. And clearly the treatment of Alexei Navalny as we saw with the thousands of protesters on the streets of well - not just Moscow - of a number of cities shows that there is a deal of disaffection with Mr Putin."

Relations between Moscow and London have been particularly strained since the nerve agent attack on British soil in 2018.

Mr Skripal survived, but the tragedy saw 44-year-old Dawn Sturgess killed after she unwittingly sprayed herself with the chemical stored in a perfume bottle found by her partner, who was also left seriously ill.

Accusing Russia of being a "hostile" state, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has recently led a push for Nato to use political pressure to combat the threat from Moscow.

Mr Raab has also said it is "very difficult to believe" the arrest of a prominent critic of the Belarus regime from a diverted Ryanair flight could have taken place "without at least the acquiescence of the authorities in Moscow".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Doctor injecting collagen into young womans lip

Warning over 'Wild West' treatments as procedures such as lip injections and butt lifts 'offered in public toilets'

Pamela Anderson arrives on the red carpet at the 2025 Met Gala

Pamela Anderson says filters and AI being used on photos has led to people becoming 'boring-looking'

Donald Trump has called for the "unconditional surrender" of Iran

Trump calls for 'unconditional surrender' from Iran - as US President 'considering US strike on Iran'

A man walks past empty shelves in a branch of the Co-op in Manchester following the major cyber attack.

Major UK supermarket offering 25% off £40 shops in ‘thank you’ to members after cyber attack

Cyclists are sending a record amount of video footage to police after being overtaken too closely by motorists, new figures show.

Cyclists sending record number of videos to police after being overtaken too closely by drivers, figures show

Exclusive
Suspended chief constable Nick Adderley

Disgraced police chief Nick Adderley slammed for ‘unacceptable’ role in Harry Dunn case

Grenfell tower cover in white tarpaulin

Government pressed over why Grenfell cladding ‘crooks’ not behind bars

Donald Trump is said to be considering joining Israel in striking Iran

Trump 'considering US strike on Iran' - hours after claiming to know supreme leader's location

The biggest lottery prize the UK has seen could still be won after Tuesday’s EuroMillions draw had no winners.

EuroMillions record £208 million jackpot won by single ticket holder

Referee David Coote has been sacked.

Sacked Premier League referee David Coote charged by FA over ‘German c***’ Jurgen Klopp comments

Exclusive
Relatives of the Palestinians killed in Israeli attack, mourn as they carry the bodies to Nasser hospital for funeral procedures in Khan Yunis

Israeli Ambassador denies IDF is 'targeting civilians' as medics say 59 Palestinians killed by IDF at aid distribution centre

The man given a restraining order for stalking British number one Emma Raducanu has been caught trying to obtain tickets for this summer’s Wimbledon.

Emma Raducanu stalker caught trying to obtain Wimbledon tickets after tennis star was left 'shaken' by 'fixated' man

Eight-month-old Mabli had just said a final goodbye to her paternal grandmother Betty Hall, who was receiving end-of-life care at the Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.

Driver who ran over and killed eight-month-old baby in pram has sentence cut

Exclusive
UK 'not going to be involved' in 'protecting' Israel during Iran conflict, Israeli ambassador confirms

UK 'not going to be involved' in 'protecting' Israel during Iran conflict, Israeli ambassador tells LBC

Abortion rights actvists gather outside the parliament in support of decriminalisation.

MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales in historic Commons vote

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is placed under arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and FBI agents outside federal immigration court on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in New York.

New York mayoral candidate arrested and detained by ICE amid Trump's immigration crackdown