Britain has accused the Kremlin of searching for to put in a pro-Russian chief in Ukraine, and mentioned Russian intelligence officers had been involved with various former Ukrainian politicians as a part of plans for an invasion.
The British international ministry declined to supply proof to again its accusations, which got here at a time of excessive tensions between Russia and the West over Russia’s massing of troops close to its border with Ukraine. Moscow has insisted it has no plans to invade.
The British ministry mentioned late on Saturday it had info the Russian authorities was contemplating former Ukrainian lawmaker Yevhen Murayev as a possible candidate to move a pro-Russian management.
“We is not going to tolerate Kremlin plot to put in pro-Russian management in Ukraine,” British Overseas Secretary Liz Truss mentioned on Twitter. “The Kremlin is aware of a army incursion could be an enormous strategic mistake & the UK and our companions would impose a extreme value on Russia.”
The British assertion was launched within the early hours of Sunday, Moscow and Kyiv time, and there was no speedy assertion from the Kremlin, or from Murayev.
A international ministry supply mentioned it was not regular follow to share intelligence issues, and the main points had solely been declassified after cautious consideration to discourage Russian aggression.
The Russian Overseas Ministry dismissed https://www.fb.com/MIDRussia/posts/232937249029343 the feedback as “disinformation”, accusing Britain and NATO of “escalating tensions” over Ukraine.
“We urge the Overseas Workplace to stop these provocative actions, cease spreading nonsense and eventually focus its efforts on learning the historical past of the Mongol-Tatar yoke,” the ministry mentioned on its verified Fb account.
DEMANDS
The British claims come a day after the highest U.S. and Russian diplomats failed https://www.reuters.com/world/top-diplomats-us-russia-meet-geneva-soaring-ukraine-tensions-2022-01-21 to make a significant breakthrough in talks to resolve the disaster over Ukraine, though they agreed to maintain speaking.
Russia has made safety calls for on america together with a halt to NATO’s eastward growth and a pledge that Ukraine won’t ever be allowed to hitch the Western army alliance.
U.S. Nationwide Safety Council spokesperson Emily Horne mentioned in an announcement: “This sort of plotting is deeply regarding. The Ukrainian individuals have the sovereign proper to find out their very own future, and we stand with our democratically-elected companions in Ukraine.”
Murayev, 45, is a pro-Russian politician who opposes Ukraine‘s integration with the West. In accordance with a ballot by the Razumkov’s Centre suppose tank performed in December 2021, he was ranked seventh amongst candidates for the 2024 presidential election with 6.3% help.
“You’ve made my night. The British Overseas Workplace appears confused,” Murayev informed Britain’s Observer newspaper. “It isn’t very logical. I’m banned from Russia. Not solely that however cash from my father’s agency there was confiscated.”
Britain, which this week equipped 2,000 missiles and a crew of army trainers to Ukraine, additionally mentioned it had info that Russian intelligence companies had been sustaining hyperlinks with “quite a few” former Ukrainian politicians, together with senior figures with hyperlinks to ex-President Viktor Yanukovich.
Yanukovich fled to Russia in 2014 after three months of protests towards his rule and was sentenced in absentia to 13 years in jail on treason fees in 2019.
‘PLANNING FOR ATTACK’
“A few of these have contact with Russian intelligence officers presently concerned within the planning for an assault on Ukraine,” the British international workplace assertion mentioned.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Downing Avenue workplace additionally mentioned the British chief was planning to ramp up strain on Russia this week by calling for European counterparts to come back along with america to face down Russian aggression.
Earlier, RIA information company reported that British international minister Truss would go to Moscow in February to satisfy her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, whereas Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and his British counterpart Ben Wallace have additionally agreed to carry talks.
(Reuters)