ISTANBUL (AP) — There is “absolutely no evidence” that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is seeking to negotiate peace in Ukraine, according to Richard Moore, the head of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). In his final speech before leaving office, Moore asserted that Putin is merely “stringing us along” and that he is determined to impose his imperial will using all means available.

Moore further elaborated that Putin has overestimated his position and that he “bitten off more than he can chew.” He pointed out that Putin anticipated a swift victory but significantly underestimated the resolve of the Ukrainian people. During his tenure, which has seen the full-scale invasion of Ukraine beginning in February 2022, Moore stated that the conflict has led to a substantial rise in Ukrainian national identity and an accelerated shift towards the West.

In his remarks at the British consulate in Istanbul, where he will conclude his role at the end of September, Moore noted the implications of the war, stating that it has encouraged Finland and Sweden to pursue NATO membership. He emphasized that Putin is attempting to convince both the international community and Russian citizens that victory for Russia is inevitable but labeled this narrative as a lie. “He lies to the world. He lies to his people. Perhaps he even lies to himself,” Moore declared during the press conference.

Moore made an analogy to the Russian scientist Ivan Pavlov, suggesting that a phone call from Putin functions like a conditioned response within the Kremlin, prompting officials to tell him what they believe he wants to hear. He added that Putin is sacrificing his country's future for a misguided legacy built upon a distorted historical narrative, which, according to Moore, is exacerbating Russia's overall decline.

Moore, who has previously served as the U.K.'s ambassador to Turkey, remarked that more powerful nations than Russia have failed to dominate weaker nations like Ukraine. Analysts believe that Putin is betting he can outlast the political will of Ukraine's Western allies, hoping to wear down the Ukrainian army over time through sheer numbers.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is expediting defense collaborations with foreign nations and working to secure substantial investments in its national defense capabilities. This comes as the conflict continues, claiming tens of thousands of lives and primarily affecting eastern Ukraine.

In a bid to fortify its intelligence network, MI6 recently launched a dark web portal known as “Silent Courier,” designed to allow potential informants, including those from Russia, to connect with the agency securely. In his speech, Moore extended an invitation to "men and women in Russia who have truths to share and the courage to share them" to reach out to MI6.