British security services have uncovered a “staggeringly reckless campaign” of Russian sabotage in Europe, that comes as Russia also resorts to nuclear sabre-rattling to deter countries from backing Ukraine, its foreign spy chief said on Friday.

Richard Moore, the head of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service known as MI6, said in a speech in Paris on Friday that were  Putin to succeed in reducing Ukraine to a vassal state, he would not stop there.

“Our security – British, French, European and transatlantic- will be jeopardised.”

“We have recently uncovered a staggeringly reckless campaign of Russian sabotage in Europe, even as Putin and his acolytes resort to nuclear sabre-rattling to sow fear about the consequences of aiding Ukraine”.

He said the cost of supporting Ukraine was well known, but added: “The cost of not doing so would be infinitely higher. If Putin succeeds China would weigh the implications, North Korea would be emboldened and Iran would become still more dangerous.”

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