Russia has become a danger to Britain and the country must be prepared to take steps to defend itself and its allies, the former head of MI6 says.
Sir John Sawers, who recently retired after five years as chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Russia poses a "state to state threat".
Sir John said dealing with such threats would require more defence spending.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31669195
"[Russia] keep on reminding us that they have nuclear weapons," he said.
"The one level in which Russia and America are equals is at the nuclear level.
"Now we don't want to have a repeat of the Cuban missile crisis in 1962 where we got to the brink of nuclear war.
"We need to be able to address this through increased dialogue."
'Multi-polar world'
His comments come after a year of fighting in eastern Ukraine between government forces and pro-Russian separatists.
"We shouldn't kid ourselves that Russia is on a path to democracy because it isn't," Sir John said.
Sir John Sawers, who recently retired after five years as chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Russia poses a "state to state threat".
Sir John said dealing with such threats would require more defence spending.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31669195
"[Russia] keep on reminding us that they have nuclear weapons," he said.
"The one level in which Russia and America are equals is at the nuclear level.
"Now we don't want to have a repeat of the Cuban missile crisis in 1962 where we got to the brink of nuclear war.
"We need to be able to address this through increased dialogue."
'Multi-polar world'
His comments come after a year of fighting in eastern Ukraine between government forces and pro-Russian separatists.
"We shouldn't kid ourselves that Russia is on a path to democracy because it isn't," Sir John said.
