By SudOuest.fr with AFP
Ukraine said on Sunday it wants to dismantle any pro-Russian group after British accusations that Moscow is seeking to impose a pro-Russian leader on Kiev.
British Foreign Minister Liz Truss on Saturday accused Russia of seeking to “install a pro-Russian leader in Kiev” and of “considering” “occupying” Ukraine, accusations Russia called “nonsense” . The statement came as Russia massed tens of thousands of troops on the Ukrainian border, raising fears of an invasion in Kiev and Westerners.
“Our state will continue its policy of dismantling any oligarchic and political structure that could work to destabilize Ukraine or be complicit with the Russian occupiers,” Mykhaïlo Podoliak, adviser to the head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, said on Sunday. .
“Stupid provocations”, according to Russia
Russia’s Foreign Office has called on the UK to ‘stop spreading nonsense’ and ‘stop its stupid provocations’ […], very dangerous in the current situation”. British diplomacy said that “the former Ukrainian MP Yevgeniy Muraiev is considered as a potential candidate”, but he is not the only one: the Russian intelligence services maintain “links with many former Ukrainian politicians”. Reacting to these accusations, Yevgeniy Murayev called for stopping “dividing us into pro-Russians and pro-Westerns”.
British diplomacy also mentioned the names of Serguiï Arbouzov (the first Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2012 to 2014, then Acting Prime Minister), Andriï Klouïev (who headed the presidential administration of the former Ukrainian head of state Viktor Yanukovych), Volodymyr Sivkovytch (former deputy secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council) or even Mykola Azarov (Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2010 to 2014).
“Some of them are in contact with Russian intelligence agents currently involved in planning an attack on Ukraine,” the British Foreign Office charged. The United States called the charges “deeply concerning.” “The Ukrainian people have the sovereign right to determine their own future, and we stand with our democratically elected partners in Ukraine,” said Emily Horne, spokeswoman for the National Security Council at the White House.
The British statements came just hours after Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu agreed to a meeting with his British counterpart Ben Wallace. He proposed that the meeting take place in Moscow. This bilateral meeting, the first since 2013, aims to “explore all avenues to achieve stability and a settlement of the Ukrainian crisis”.
“No doubt” about Germany’s determination
The head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken also assured Sunday that he had “no doubt” about Germany’s determination in the face of Russia, at a time when the German government is drawing criticism for its refusal to deliver weapons. to Ukraine. “I can tell you that the Germans fully share our concerns and that they are resolute and determined to respond quickly, effectively and by presenting a united front”, declared on the chain NBC, Mr. Blinken, recalling having met Thursday German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
“I am completely convinced, based on the numerous consultations I have had with our European allies and partners, that there will be an immediate, calibrated and united response” if Russia attacks Ukraine, added the US Secretary of State who was questioned about the resignation of a senior German officer for supporting Russia in its standoff with the West over Ukraine. “I am absolutely convinced that there will be a united response, whatever Russia does,” he added when asked about the possibility of differences between Europeans if Russia only invades. part of Ukraine.
Mr. Blinken also responded to criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who recently suggested that the West impose sanctions on Russia preemptively. “The purpose of these sanctions is to prevent Russian aggression,” he told CNN. “Everything we do, including working out together with Europe massive consequences for Russia, is designed to factor into (Russian) President Vladimir Putin’s calculations and to prevent and deter him from launching aggression, even if we continue our diplomatic efforts at the same time”. Imposed now, such sanctions “would lose their deterrent effect”, he stressed.