MI6 Head Blaise Metreweli Warns of Russia’s Aggressive Threat and Emphasizes Sustained Support for Ukraine

The head of the United Kingdom’s Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), commonly referred to as , , has issued a stark warning about the continued threat posed by Russia, describing it as “aggressive, expansionist, and revisionist.” Her remarks came in a major speech marking her first public address since assuming the role in October, becoming the first woman to lead the agency in its 116-year history.

Metreweli emphasized that Moscow’s strategic approach to international engagement centers on what she called the “export of chaos.” She stated this is “a feature not a bug” in Russian foreign policy, and warned that this strategy is expected to continue until President is forced to reassess his calculations. In her speech, Metreweli reiterated Britain’s unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine. “Putin should be in no doubt: our support is enduring. The pressure we apply on Ukraine’s behalf will be sustained,” she said, according to excerpts published in advance.

The UK has taken a range of measures to counter Russian aggression, including imposing sanctions on a wide array of individuals, companies, and institutions. These include the GRU military intelligence agency and various business figures and entities linked to the Russian government. Recent actions also extended to Chinese-based companies accused of cyber-attacks against the UK and its allies, underscoring a broader effort to counter hybrid threats.

Technology was a central theme in Metreweli’s speech. She argued that MI6 officers must be “as comfortable with lines of code as we are with human sources,” highlighting the need for a balanced approach between digital and traditional intelligence methods. She stressed that technological mastery must extend beyond laboratories and be embedded in field operations and tradecraft. “We must be as fluent in Python as we are in multiple languages,” she said, reflecting a clear emphasis on the critical role of digital skills in modern intelligence.

Richard Knighton, head of Britain’s armed forces, separately called for a “whole society” approach to national defense, warning of an increased likelihood of Russia targeting a NATO country. Both leaders signaled a recognition of the evolving nature of warfare, where digital disruptions, disinformation, and hybrid tactics blur traditional boundaries between peace and conflict.

The statements reflect a growing consensus among Western security authorities that Russia’s actions in Ukraine are part of a wider strategy to destabilize democratic institutions and challenge global order. With diplomatic efforts ongoing in Berlin to broker a peace agreement, Metreweli’s speech reinforced the UK’s stance that economic, political, and military pressure must continue until the conflict is resolved on Ukraine’s terms.