Newsdeck

Coup plot

Ukraine president says coup plot uncovered

epa09413660 Policemen try to put out a flare during a rally with the slogan 'No to capitulation!' near President Volodymyr Zelensky's home in Kiev, Ukraine, 14 August 2021 prior to his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on 22 August in Kiev and President Zelensky visit to the US at the end of August. Activists of different Nationalist movements gathered to remind Ukrainian authorities about the unacceptability of implementation the so-called 'Steinmeier formula' for a peace settlement in Donbas and delivery of water to the Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. (Photo: EPA-EFE/SERGEY DOLZHENKO)

KYIV, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Ukraine has uncovered a plot for an attempted coup due to take place next week, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday, at a press conference where he also spoke of a threat of military escalation from Russia.

“We have challenges not only from the Russian Federation and possible escalation – we have big internal challenges. I received information that a coup d’etat will take place in our country on Dec. 1-2,” Zelenskiy said.

Zelenskiy did not give details of the coup attempt and did not accuse the Russian state of involvement.

Russia has been building up forces near its border with Ukraine, and Kyiv, the United States and NATO have voiced concerns about a possible Russian attack — a suggestion the Kremlin has dismissed as false and alarmist.

Moscow and Kyiv have traded blame for rising tensions in recent weeks, raising fears that a long-running conflict between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists could erupt into renewed open warfare.

“We are in full control of our borders and are fully prepared for any escalation,” Zelenskiy said.

(Reporting by Natalia Zinets and Pavel Polityuk Writing by Matthias Williams Editing by Peter Graff).

Gallery

Comments - Please in order to comment.

Please peer review 3 community comments before your comment can be posted

We would like our readers to start paying for Daily Maverick...

…but we are not going to force you to. Over 10 million users come to us each month for the news. We have not put it behind a paywall because the truth should not be a luxury.

Instead we ask our readers who can afford to contribute, even a small amount each month, to do so.

If you appreciate it and want to see us keep going then please consider contributing whatever you can.

Support Daily Maverick→
Payment options

Become a Maverick Insider

This could have been a paywall

On another site this would have been a paywall. Maverick Insider keeps our content free for all.

Become an Insider

Every seed of hope will one day sprout.

South African citizens throughout the country are standing up for our human rights. Stay informed, connected and inspired by our weekly FREE Maverick Citizen newsletter.