Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Friday that a Russian-Ukrainian group was planning a coup attempt in Ukraine next month and that conspirators had tried to attract Rinat Ahmetov, the country’s richest man.
Speaking at the “journalism marathon” of local and international media, Zelensky said that audio recordings made available to the Ukrainian security services revealed conspirators discussing their plans and mentioning Ahmedov’s name.
Zelensky said Ahmedov had not been involved in a possible coup plan.
The president did not provide further details, leaving many questions about the motives for his accusations and the possible actions of the authorities.
Mining and steel tycoon Ahmetov owns the media, which has intensified criticism of Zelensky and his administration in recent weeks.
In a statement attributed to Ahmedov, Zelensky’s allegations are described as “absolute lies.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied any role for Russia in the alleged conspiracy.
“Russia has never been involved in such issues. There have never been such plans, ”said Peskov.
Zelensky’s comments also come against the background of growing tensions between Kiev and Moscow.
Western and Ukrainian officials report an increase in Russian troops on the country’s border with Ukraine.
The reasons for the military increase are not clear, but the US and other officials say it could be preparing for an invasion or escalating a 7-year conflict in eastern Ukraine with pro-Kiev insurgents backed by Moscow. Western officials and independent researchers.
Speaking in Nantucket, Massachusetts, President Joe Biden told reporters he was “likely” to hold talks with Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin on growing tensions.
“ES ticu [Akhmetov] “It would be a serious mistake, because it is impossible to fight the people, the president-elect of Ukraine,” Zelensky said.
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Zelensky said the coup was scheduled for December 1 or 2, but did not provide further details.
Ukrainian media have been commenting on growing tensions between Zelensky and Ahmedov in recent weeks. Zelensky launched a campaign to “remove the oligarchy” to reduce the political influence of Ukraine’s wealthiest people, who control key parts of the economy.
“I am angry at the spread of these lies, whatever the president’s motives,” Ahmetov was quoted as saying. “My position was and will remain clear and concrete: Ukraine is independent, democratic, united with Crimea and our native Donbass.”
Donbass is part of the breakaway region of eastern Ukraine. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.
The president of Ukraine said that his country is ready for any scenario in the troubled east.
“We are in full control of our borders and ready to escalate,” Zelensky said.
He added that the number of Russian soldiers was lower than at the rally this spring, which also raised concerns about a possible Russian attack.
Zelensky said Ukraine had received “public rather than open” support from its Western partners if Russia began military action, but did not elaborate.
He said that the risk of an escalation or Russian invasion had always existed and that Ukraine had noticed a sharp rise in Russia’s aggressive comments, which he said was worrying.
“When Russia says it is defending its borders, it is very dangerous,” Zelensky said.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned Russia on Friday that any attempt to invade Ukraine would come at a cost due to growing concerns about the rise of Russian military forces on the borders of its former Soviet neighbor.
Moscow denies any plans to invade and refuses to provide details of troop movements on its territory.
Stoltenberg said before the meeting of foreign ministers of the 30-nation military organization in Latvia on Tuesday and Wednesday, where Russia’s activities will be on the agenda, he said: He did not say how much these costs would be.
“This is the second time this year that Russia has mobilized an unusually large concentration of forces in the region,” Stoltenberg told reporters. He said it included tanks, artillery, armored units, unmanned aerial vehicles and electronic warfare systems, as well as combat readiness forces.
“This military increase is unjustified and unjustified. This creates tension and risks miscalculation, ”said Stoltenberg. He acknowledged that “there is no certainty about Russia’s intentions”, but said: “This is a military expansion of a country that has previously invaded Ukraine.”
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan talked to Andrei Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential administration, on Friday. Emily Horna, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council, said in a statement that the two had discussed their common concerns about Russia’s ongoing military activities near the Ukrainian border and agreed that all parties should continue their diplomatic efforts to ease tensions.
“Mr Sullivan reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement said.
Information for this article was provided by David L. Stern and Robin Dixon of The Washington Post. Authors Lorne Cook and Samuel Petrikins of The Associated Press.
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