Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, has expressed uncertainty about the future of the UK, suggesting that 'the Celts' are looking to hold independence referendums. Speaking at a youth conference, Mr Lavrov reportedly said he did "not know what will become of the country called Great Britain", according to The Times.
These comments come weeks after the first ministers of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland signed an agreement declaring "Westminster's time is coming to an end" and asserting its lack of right to "block democracy". Mr Lavrov also suggested that the West has too much influence in the UN Security Council.
In response to Mr Lavrov's remarks, Plaid Cymru stated that Wales' constitutional future is "a matter for the people of Wales", and "not for the Kremlin to endorse, oppose or exploit". A Plaid spokesman also described Russia as an "existential threat to modern democracy", drawing a parallel between the right of nations to determine their future in Wales and Ukraine.
Stephen Gethins, the SNP's external affairs minister, affirmed the Scottish Government's commitment to ensuring the people of Scotland have the democratic right to decide their constitutional future.