Jonathan Powell, the Prime Minister’s top security adviser, has warned that Europe faces a hard winter as governments seek to maintain pressure on Vladimir Putin.
In rare public comments, Powell said European nations should not ease their efforts at this stage. He said it was not the moment for countries to take their “foot off the gas”, underlining the importance he placed on sustaining pressure.
The remarks are significant because Powell does not often speak publicly in his senior security role. His intervention points to concern at the highest levels of government about the challenge European states face during the winter months.
Powell’s comments were directed at European nations collectively, rather than at a single government. They framed the coming period as a test of resolve, with the central message that pressure on Putin should continue rather than weaken.
No additional measures or policy changes were set out in the supplied remarks. The latest position is that the Prime Minister’s senior security adviser is urging European countries to maintain their current pressure through what he described as a difficult winter.
