– We have information indicating that the Russian government is looking to appoint a pro-Russian leader in Kiev. At the same time as the country is considering whether to invade and occupy Ukraine, it is stated in one press release from the British Foreign Office.
According to the ministry, Yevgen Murayev, a former member of the Ukrainian parliament, is being considered as a potential candidate.
To CNN Murayev says the allegations are not commentable, because he is a Ukrainian citizen and still faces Russian sanctions.
Murayev leads the small, pro-Russian Nashi party, which currently has no representatives in the National Assembly. He is also considered the owner of the TV channel Nash, which is accused of broadcasting pro-Russian propaganda.
Asks Russia to step down
“The information released today sheds light on the extent of Russian activity designed to undermine Ukraine, and is an insight into the Kremlin’s thinking,” said British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.
It is not clear in what way British authorities believe Russia will establish a pro-Russian government.
Tuss asks Russia to reduce the level of conflict, end the build-up of forces along Ukraine’s border and stop spreading misinformation.
“As the United Kingdom and our partners have repeatedly said, any Russian military intervention in Ukraine will be a massive strategic error at great cost,” she added.
Russia has moved 100,000 troops near the border with Ukraine, but denies planning an invasion.
Contact with former politicians
In addition, the Foreign Ministry claims that the Russian intelligence service has contact with a number of former Ukrainian politicians. Among them are:
- Serhiy Arbuzov: First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine 2012-2014 and Acting Prime Minister in 2014.
- Andrei Kluyev: First Deputy Prime Minister 2010–2012 and Chief of Staff to former President Viktor Yanukovych.
- Vladimir Sivkovich: Former Deputy Chairman of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
- Mykola Azarov: Ukraine’s stats minister 2010–2014
Russia believes Britain is provoking
Russia is asking the British Foreign Office to stop making provocative allegations and to stop spreading nonsense.
“Misinformation spread by the British Foreign Office is further proof that it is the NATO countries, led by the Anglo-Saxons, that are escalating tensions around Ukraine, it is said in a statement reproduced by the news agency Ria news.
The news comes on the same day as the Russian defense minister accepted an invitation from his British counterpart to meet to discuss the situation in Ukraine.
The United States is concerned
It also comes the day after Foreign Ministers Antony Blinken and Sergei Lavrov, after a week of meetings, keep the door open for new meetings and more dialogue to resolve the dispute over Ukraine.
The United States says the allegations are “deeply troubling.”
“The Ukrainian people have a sovereign right to decide their own future, and we stand with our democratically elected partners in Ukraine,” said Emily Horne, a spokeswoman for the US National Security Council.
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