The United Kingdom Accuses Putin Of Plotting Against Ukraine

The United Kingdom has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to appoint a pro-Russian candidate to run Ukraine's government.

Former Ukrainian MP Yevhen Murayev was named as a possible Kremlin candidate by the Foreign Office, which is unusual.

Russia has deployed 100,000 troops near Ukraine's border, but denies plotting an invasion.

If there is an incursion, UK politicians have warned that the Russian government will face catastrophic consequences.

"The information being provided today casts a light on the scope of Russian action meant to destabilize Ukraine, and gives an insight into Kremlin thought," Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement.

"Russia must de-escalate, halt its aggressive and disinformation campaigns, and follow a diplomatic approach."

The Russian Foreign Ministry tweeted that the Foreign Office was "circulating lies" and that it should "end these provocative operations" and "stop propagating rubbish."

There is "a very real possibility" of invasion, according to Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, but there would be "severe economic consequences," including sanctions, if Russia did so.

He did, however, tell the BBC's Sunday Morning programme that British troops would not be dispatched to defend Ukraine because the country was not a Nato ally.

When asked if the fear of sanctions would be enough to dissuade Russia from invading, Mr Raab said Vladimir Putin would be concerned about becoming "stuck in Ukraine" and ending up "with another Chechnya," where there has been strife for several years.