The United Kingdom is considering strengthening sanctions against Russia if the latter takes steps aimed at increasing tensions in the eastern regions of Ukraine, instead of those to de-escalate the situation, British Ambassador to Ukraine Simon Smith has said.

Speaking at a briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday, Smith expressed concern at the situation on the eastern borders of Ukraine, in particular by the storming of administrative buildings by pro-Russian activists, which prevents the country from building a successful national economy and developing local economies.

The ambassador said that the demonstrators in eastern Ukraine are assisted by people coming from the Russian Federation. Smith said he had prepared a corresponding report, which states that the events in Ukraine are instigated to some degree from the outside.

The British ambassador said he hopes that Russia will not resort to military intervention into the east of Ukraine.