UK accuses Russia of trying to install pro-Kremlin govt in Ukrain

The United Kingdom has accused the Kremlin of seeking to install a pro-Russian leader in Ukraine. In a statement, the British Foreign Ministry said that Moscow intelligence had been in contact with a number of former Ukrainian politicians for the role. However, the foreign ministry declined to provide evidence to back its accusations. Tensions have been high between Russia and the West over a buildup of Russian troops near Ukraine's eastern border. Russia has insisted it does not plan to invade Ukraine. The statement came after a meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that gave no major breakthroughs in negotiations. Russia will face severe economic sanctions if it installs a “puppet regime” in Ukraine, Britain’s deputy prime minister Dominic Raab said on Sunday. “There’ll be very serious consequences if Russia takes this move to try and invade but also install a puppet regime,” Raab told Sky News.

Moscow has insisted it has no plans to invade Ukraine, despite currently having about 100,000 troops on the Ukraine border. The Russian foreign ministry dismissed London’s claims as “disinformation” and urged London to “stop spreading nonsense”.

In Washington, DC, US National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said Russia’s alleged “plotting” was “deeply concerning”. “The Ukrainian people have the sovereign right to determine their own future, and we stand with our democratically elected partners in Ukraine,” Horne said.The claims came hours after a senior UK defence source said Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu had accepted an invitation to meet his UK counterpart Ben Wallace to discuss the crisis.