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Former MI6 chief says western governments have exaggerated threats of a Russian invasion

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According to a former M16 chief, Western governments have exaggerated the risk of a “full-blooded” Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Sir John Sawers claimed that Vladimir Putin was “ahead of points” after forcing the issue of Nato back up the agenda and reminding European countries of their reliance on Russian gas.

“I don’t think that President Putin ever decided to invade the country and, indeed, I think it would always have been a very risky course for him to have taken,” he told the Today programme.

“But I think Russia has also come out of this with a number of important gains. I think the risk of full-blooded invasion … was never quite as high as was being portrayed by some Western governments, but I think that has receded.”

His comments came as Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, repeated his claim there would be a “whiff of Munich” in the air if Russia were to invade, but denied making any accusations around appeasement. Wallace also made a statement saying that Putin is a man “looking for a legacy.”

ARTICLE: PAUL MURDOCH 

MANAGING EDITOR: CARSON CHOATE

PHOTO CREDITS: CHANNEL4.COM

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Paul Murdoch

Paul, 37, is from Scotland in the UK, but currently lives and works in Bangkok. Paul has worked in different industries such as telemarketing, retail, hospitality, farming, insurance, and teaching, where he works now. He teaches at an all-girls High School in Bangkok. “It’s a lot of work, but I love my job.” Paul has an active interest in politics. His reason for writing for FBA is to offer people the facts and allow them to make up their own minds. Whilst he believes opinion columns have their place, it is also important that people can have accurate news with no bias.

Paul, 37, is from Scotland in the UK, but currently lives and works in Bangkok. Paul has worked in different industries such as telemarketing, retail, hospitality, farming, insurance, and teaching, where he works now. He teaches at an all-girls High School in Bangkok. “It’s a lot of work, but I love my job.” Paul has an active interest in politics. His reason for writing for FBA is to offer people the facts and allow them to make up their own minds. Whilst he believes opinion columns have their place, it is also important that people can have accurate news with no bias.

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