As a Russian force build-up raises concerns of an incursion, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky claims that Russian “representatives” are plotting to depose his administration next week.
Mr Zelensky said that audio recordings indicated that the country’s richest industrialist was being drawn into the operation, albeit this has been refuted. Meanwhile, a Kremlin spokeswoman stated that Russia had “no intentions to become involved.”
Concerns about the army build-up have also been rejected by Moscow as “alarmist.” Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg did not explain what that cost might be but alerted Russian use of force against Ukraine will “come at a cost.”
Mr Zelensky slammed Russia’s “very dangerous statements.” “It’s an indication,” he continued, “that there might be an escalation.” “Today, there is a possibility that war will break out next. We’re well ready for an escalation.”
A significant portion of the Russian military is stationed in Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine in March 2014. Troops have been lately located near Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, which includes the areas of Luhansk and Donetsk that are partially controlled by Russian-backed rebels.
In a long press conference, the Ukrainian president claimed, “I have received information that a coup would take place in our country on December 1.” Mr Zelensky said that business mogul Rinat Akhmetov, viewed as a presidential rival, was “pulled into a warfare against the Ukrainian state.”
Mr Zelensky did not reveal the suspected plotters but claimed Mr Akhmetov might not be aware of the plots that his “inner circle” was dragging him into. On the contrary to this, Mr Akhmetov denied the president’s assertions in a statement, saying he was “outraged by the dissemination of this lie.”
Source: BBC News
