The British government has accused Russia of seeking to replace Ukraine’s government with a pro-Moscow administration, and said former Ukrainian MP Yevniy Murayev is being considered as a possible candidate.
Murayev is the head of the small pro-Russian party Nashi, which currently has no seats in Ukraine’s parliament.
The UK Foreign Office named several other Ukrainian politicians who were said to have ties to Russian intelligence services.
It is not clear what Britain means that Russia could use to establish a friendly government in Kiev.
The UK government made this claim based on an intelligence assessment, without evidence to back it up. It comes amid a war of words between Moscow and the West over Russia’s design on Ukraine.
Explained: Why Russia is increasing military presence on the Ukraine border
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the information “sheds light on the extent of Russian activity designed to destroy Ukraine, and is an insight into Kremlin thinking.”
Truss urged Russia to “end its campaigns of aggression and propaganda, and take the route of diplomacy,” and reiterated Britain’s view that “any Russian military incursion into Ukraine would be a major strategic mistake with serious costs.” “
Britain has sent anti-tank weapons to Ukraine in an effort to strengthen its defense against a possible Russian attack.
Britain’s Defense Secretary Ben Wallace is expected to meet with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu for talks in Moscow, amid diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis. No timing has been given for the meeting, which will be the first UK-Russia bilateral defense dialogue since 2013.
The US has launched an offensive in recent months to unite its European allies against a new Russian invasion of Ukraine. The White House called the UK government’s assessment “deeply concerning” and said it stood with the duly elected Ukrainian government.
Read also | Putin will have to pay ‘costly price’ if Ukraine is attacked: US President Joe Biden
National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horn said: “Such a conspiracy is extremely worrying.” “The Ukrainian people have a sovereign right to determine their own future, and we stand with our democratically elected partners in Ukraine.”
The Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania plan to send US-made anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, a move the United States fully backed on Saturday amid rising tensions with Russia in Kiev.
The defense ministers of the three Baltic states said in a joint statement that they “stand united in our commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine in the face of continued Russian aggression.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a tweet that Washington saluted NATO countries and former Soviet republics “for their longstanding support to Ukraine”.
He said in another tweet, “I have expeditiously authorized and we fully support the transfer of defensive equipment to @NATO ally Estonia Latvia Lithuania Ukraine to defend itself against Russia’s unprovoked and irresponsible aggression.” To strengthen the capability.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier this week described the arms supplying West to Ukraine as extremely dangerous and said the shipments “do nothing to defuse tensions.”
Moscow has gathered troops along the Russia-Ukraine border, raising the possibility of an invasion. The West has rejected Moscow’s main demands – NATO’s promises that Ukraine would never be annexed as a member, that no coalition weapons would be deployed near Russian borders, and that it would withdraw from Central and Eastern Europe. will withdraw his army.
Friday’s meeting between Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov ended without success.
Defense ministers of the Baltic states said Estonia would provide Spear anti-tank weapons, while Latvia and Lithuania were sending Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and other related equipment to enhance Kiev’s defensive military capabilities.
“Today, Ukraine is at the forefront of isolating Europe from a military conflict with Russia. Let’s face it, the war in Ukraine continues and it is important to support Ukraine in every way possible so that they can resist the aggressor,” the Estonian said. Defense Minister Kale Lanet said.
Estonia is seeking Germany’s approval to ship Soviet-made howitzers that once belonged to East Germany. Estonia acquired howitzers from non-NATO member Finland, which in turn bought them from Germany’s military surplus supplies in the 1990s.
Germany said on Friday it was considering Estonia’s request to send howitzers to Ukraine.
Berlin regularly demands a say when weapons sold by Germany are transferred to third countries. But some recent media reports suggested that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s cabinet may block Estonia’s transfer of arms to Kiev.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba accused Germany of not showing enough support for Ukraine.
Also on Saturday, the Ukrainian foreign ministry summoned the German ambassador to object to a recently circulated video in which the chief of the German navy said Ukraine would not recapture the Crimean peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014. Was, and Putin deserved “respect”.
Vice Admiral Kay-Achim Schoenbach’s comments sparked a raucous and sharp rebuke in Berlin. By late Saturday, the German Navy chief had tendered his resignation, saying he wanted to prevent the damage caused by his “non-negotiable statements” in India.
The US State Department is currently warning US citizens not to visit Ukraine because of the pandemic, but is also advising them to reconsider traveling there because of a possible Russian invasion.