In a striking critique, Britain’s outgoing MI6 chief, Richard Moore, has declared that Russian President Vladimir Putin has drastically miscalculated his military ambitions in Ukraine.

Speaking in Istanbul, Moore asserted that Putin's expectation of a swift victory was a serious overreach, stating, "Putin has bitten off more than he can chew. He thought he would win easily. But he—and many others—underestimated the Ukrainians."

Moore emphasized that there is no evidence of Putin's willingness to engage in meaningful peace talks, dismissing the notion that discussions would happen outside of Ukraine's capitulation. Instead, he accused the Kremlin leader of simply "buying time" while falsely claiming that real progress is being made.

"Putin wants to give the illusion to the world that a Russian victory is unavoidable. But that’s a lie—a lie not only to his people but potentially to himself as well," Moore exclaimed.

He further condemned Putin’s actions, stating he is "mortgaging the future of his country for the sake of his personal legacy and a distorted version of history," with the ongoing war accelerating Russia’s downward spiral.

Moore's remarks mark a pivotal moment in his career as he prepares to leave office at the end of the month, coinciding with Ukraine’s parliament ratifying a historic agreement with the United Kingdom for a 100-year partnership. This pact aims to bolster defense, security, and economic cooperation for decades to come.

As the world watches this pivotal conflict unfold, Moore’s comments bring a stark reminder of the high stakes involved and the potential long-term consequences for Russia and beyond.