UK accuses Russia of installing pro-Moscow figure in Ukraine's government

Picture Courtesy: The Moscow Times

The UK foreign office today accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of plotting to install a pro-Moscow figure to lead Ukraine's government. They even went ahead and named former Ukrainian MP Yevhen Murayev as a potential Kremlin candidate.

Recently, Russia moved its troops near the Ukrainian border, however, it denies that it is planning to invade the country. UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: "The information being released today shines a light on the extent of Russian activity designed to subvert Ukraine, and is an insight into Kremlin thinking.” She further added, “As the UK and our partners have said repeatedly, any Russian military incursion into Ukraine would be a massive strategic mistake with severe costs.”

Russia has seized Ukrainian territory before back in 2014 and Ukrainian and other Western intelligence services have suggested another invasion could happen in early 2022 after Russian forces massed on the border.

Although the Russian President has denied any plans for a Ukrainian invasion, he has issued demands to the West, including that Ukraine be prevented from joining the Nato military alliance. He also asked Nato to abandon military exercises and stop sending weapons to eastern Europe.