Britain accuses Kremlin of plotting to establish pro-Russian leadership in Ukraine

The Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom issued an unusual statement on Saturday claiming to have exposed a Kremlin plot to install a pro-Russian leader in Ukraine. “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,” Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in the statement.

 

Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied the allegations in a tweet on Saturday, calling Truss’ statement “disinformation” and “yet another indication that it is the @NATO members led by the Anglo-Saxon nations who are escalating tensions around #Ukraine.”

 

Truss’ statement on Saturday also said the British government has received information suggesting that the Russian intelligence services have been maintaining contact with “numerous” former Ukrainian leaders — including a former prime minister. “Some of these have contact with Russian intelligence officers currently involved in the planning for an attack on Ukraine,” the statement said.

 

The New York Times, citing unnamed British officials familiar with the situation, reported that Truss’ statement was meant in part to show Russian President Vladimir Putin that his plans have been revealed.