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"We have information that Russia's planning for its further
invasion of Ukraine includes a forced capitulation of Ukraine's
democratically elected government, including dissolving all
local municipal governments in Ukraine," U.S. Ambassador Michael
Carpenter said in an address to the Vienna-based Organization
for Security and Cooperating in Europe (OSCE).
"New governance structures were to be set up in 'liberated'
territories under Russian control," he added in the speech
posted online.
Without providing evidence, he said Russian officials and
pro-Moscow rebels were developing a new government and new
constitution. Planning included "a moratorium disallowing
legitimate Ukrainian leaders and those supporting Ukraine's
legitimate government from any leadership positions".
He said the Kremlin may be preparing "sham referenda" in areas
of southern and eastern Ukraine it has seized since its invasion
began on Feb. 24 in an attempt to legitimize its military action
and assert control over these areas.
Russia says its "special military operation" is designed to
demilitarise its neighbour and remove fascists from power.
Last week a Russian general said Moscow wanted to take full
control over southern Ukraine, despite previous assertions that
it had no territorial ambitions.
(Reporting by Michael Shields; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel)
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