Britain said on Saturday it had information that Russia wanted to appoint a pro-Russian leader to Ukraine because it considered invading and occupying the country.
Former Ukrainian MP Yvonne Murayev is considered a possible candidate, according to a report by the British Foreign Office, which indicates that Russia’s secret service has links with a number of former Ukrainian politicians.
Among these politicians, according to the United Kingdom, is Serhiy Arbuzov, Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister between 2012 and 2014, and interim prime minister in 2014; Andriy Kluyev was the first Deputy Prime Minister from 2010 to 2012, as well as the former Deputy Chairman of the National Security and Security Council of Ukraine (RNBO) Vladimir Sivkovich and the Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov from 2010 to 2014.
Some of these politicians have links with Russian intelligence agents and are currently planning an attack on Ukraine, the British Ministry said in a statement.
“This information sheds light on the purpose of Russian actions designed to dismantle Ukraine and gives an idea of the Kremlin’s thinking,” British Foreign Secretary Lis Truss said in a statement.
“Russia must intensify, put an end to its aggression and misinformation campaigns and move on the diplomatic path. As the UK and our partners have repeatedly stated, Russian military incursions into Ukraine are a major strategic mistake, a serious expense,” Truss added.
The British government reiterates that it “unequivocally” supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, including Crimea.
The report comes amid heightened ties between Russia and the United States over tensions over the deployment of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border.
