The White House has reacted with alarm to a British intelligence assessment accusing Russia of seeking to replace Ukraine's elected government with a pro-Kremlin administration.

Axar.az reports that the British government on Saturday said former Ukrainian lawmaker Yevheniy Murayev is being considered as a potential candidate to lead a pro-Russia puppet government in Kyiv.

Murayev is head of the small pro-Russian party Nashi, which currently holds no seats in Ukraine's parliament, and the UK assessment did not specify what means Russia might use to install him.

The White House called the U.K. government assessment 'deeply concerning' and said it stands with the duly elected Ukrainian government.