An ex-Nato official has urged Andy Burnham to “step up” the UK’s response to Russia as he warns Vladimir Putin is “winning” in Ukraine, reports BritPanorama.
Since taking office, Mr Burnham has continued Sir Keir Starmer’s firm stance on Ukraine and pledged full support for the Kyiv government.
The prime minister has promised Britain is “100 per cent behind” Ukraine and travelled to Kyiv on his first foreign trip to mark the country’s independence day.
However, John Lough, former Moscow-based Nato official and currently head of foreign policy at the New Eurasian Strategies Centre (Nest), expressed concern that UK leaders might not fully grasp Russia’s position in the ongoing war. He noted that a potential victory for Putin could have serious consequences for Britain.
Speaking to The Independent, Mr Lough stated, “Putin thinks he’s winning, and I think he’s right.” Despite Ukrainian successes in holding the line in the Donbas and their long-range missile strikes over the summer, he believes the Kremlin still holds the upper hand.
“I think many people in Western countries started to think that the tide was turning, particularly when the Ukrainians caused a nationwide fuel crisis in Russia,” he explained. “But this is deceptive because the Russians have the upper hand in the air campaign and are really making the Ukrainians pay for what they did over the summer.”
Although Ukrainians remain “resolute,” he added, “the ground is being destroyed underneath their feet.”
Mr Lough underscored the need for UK leaders to understand the gravity of the situation and its implications for European security if Ukraine were to collapse. “I’m quite sure there are parts of the British government that understand full well what’s going on. But whether they have actually digested the consequences of this and what it would mean if Ukraine were to fall over the coming months…the consequences that we would be dealing with subsequently in Europe, in terms of our security.”
He called on the UK government to enhance its response to Russia’s hybrid attacks, stressing the importance of demonstrating that Britain will not remain passive. “You’ve got to start investing more in defence, or at least identifying where your vulnerabilities are, and plugging those gaps,” he said.
Mr Lough proposed that the UK should consider actions beyond diplomatic measures, suggesting options like cyber attacks to indicate a strong stance against Russia. “We launch a cyber attack, or we do something else to get in there that tells them that we’re not going to take this lying down.”
Despite the uncomfortable reality of discussing Ukraine’s potential defeat, he mentioned the critical need for more behind-the-scenes efforts to bolster Ukraine’s position. “I don’t think we see much evidence of that at the moment. That’s the problem, and the Ukrainians clearly sense that.”
Meanwhile, Russia’s missile and drone attacks have intensified this week, targeting Kyiv and its surrounding areas, resulting in at least four fatalities, including a child. These attacks are reportedly aimed at crippling the power grid as Ukraine braces for winter.
As Mr Lough highlighted, the consequences of a Russian victory could extend beyond Ukraine, affecting security dynamics throughout Europe. “I’m not sure that our esteemed leaders have got their mind around this,” he reiterated.
Relations between the Kremlin and Downing Street remain strained amid ongoing threats from Moscow. Earlier this month, the UK government summoned a senior Russian diplomat to express its condemnation of a “reckless attack” attributed to Moscow.
Germany has linked this incident to a larger pattern of “Russian hybrid operations,” and the UK continues to affirm its support for Ukraine against what it deems an illegal war initiated by Vladimir Putin.
This situation underscores the complexity and urgency of the UK’s response as the conflict persists.
