Lord Ricketts urges ministers to warn public of Russian threat as US-Ukraine ties fray

Mixed · 2Lord Peter Ricketts, a former national security adviser, said on BBC Radio 4's Today programme that ministers must start a conversation with the British public about the threat from Russia. 1 2 Mixed · 2He said Vladimir Putin is trying to break morale in Ukraine and to undermine morale in European countries, and warned that Russian "hybrid" attacks are becoming more reckless and more dangerous, saying that "one day, people are going to land up being killed somewhere". 2 1 Left · 1The Guardian reports that he said banking, energy or water systems could be targeted by Kremlin cyber-assaults, and that he called for more investment in resilience, including better protection for energy, transport, air traffic control and defence, which he said would require finding the money. 2

Centre · 1Ricketts, who was the top civil servant at the Foreign Office from 2006 to 2010 and then the UK's first national security adviser, also dismissed Andy Burnham's suggestion that the UK could be a "bridge" between Kyiv and Washington, saying he did not think Britain had any short-term influence on Donald Trump in his current mood. 1 Centre · 1The Evening Standard reports that he said the UK should instead focus on the European-led "coalition of the willing" and give Volodymyr Zelensky material, economic and military support to get through a difficult winter. 1 Mixed · 2His remarks followed other warnings that week: on Tuesday MI5 director general Sir Ken McCallum said the agency was devoting more resources to hostile-state threats than during the Cold War and called Russia the "number one aggressor", and on Friday army chief Gen Sir Roly Walker told troops at Catterick Garrison that politicians would soon need a "frank conversation" about the "sacrifices" needed to prioritise defence and security. 1 2

Mixed · 2The warnings came as US-Ukraine relations deteriorated: Trump waived further sanctions on Russia late on Friday, with the White House citing US "national interests", despite having previously endorsed the tougher round due to take effect on Sunday; earlier this month he lifted sanctions on Russian diesel to ease fuel prices before the midterm elections. 1 2 Mixed · 2Trump has also suggested Zelensky should be replaced as Ukrainian president; the Standard adds that he called Zelensky "more difficult to deal with than Putin" and refused to say Putin started the war, while the Guardian says Zelensky hit back at an EU summit, saying it was nice to be among "real leaders". 1 2 Mixed · 2There are concerns that the US has stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine; the Standard says Ukraine's Starlink access was restricted and later restored, with Elon Musk saying the decision came ultimately from Trump, which the president denies. 1 2

Centre · 1Downing Street would not comment on the latest waiver; the UK government has backed Ukraine, with Burnham welcoming Zelensky to Downing Street on Wednesday and agreeing to accelerate delivery of air defence missiles, though the Prime Minister has avoided directly criticising Trump, saying he needed to be "careful" to "repair bridges so that the support comes back". 1 Centre · 1The Standard adds that 1,500 British troops are due to take part in a Nato exercise in Poland next month, and that Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy grid continue. 1