The British Foreign Office in London. File photoMOSCOW, Jan 19British Foreign Office officials were informed this week of the need to prepare for a transition as soon as possible «to a crisis regime» due to fears of an escalation of the crisis around Ukraine, Bloomberg reports, citing an informed source. According to the source, this means that Foreign Office employees and diplomats can be redistributed to work on policy towards Russia and Ukraine, as well as the UK's response to any escalation of tension, including containment options and sanctions. that some employees are already working on contingency measures and strategic communications. According to the agency, the “crisis mode” was previously introduced in emergency situations, such as the repatriation of citizens in connection with outbreaks of COVID-19, as well as the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.< img src="/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/82480d9b59 d62fbc4c951b634ba7892f.jpg" />British Foreign Minister urged Europe to reduce dependence on Russian gasRussia has repeatedly rejected accusations of the West and Ukraine of «aggressive actions», stating that it does not threaten anyone and is not going to attack anyone, and statements about «Russian aggression» are being used as an excuse to deploy more NATO military equipment near Russian borders. The Russian Foreign Ministry previously noted that Western statements about «Russian aggression» and the possibility of helping Kiev defend itself against it are both ridiculous and dangerous. At the same time, Kiev and Western states have recently expressed concern about the alleged increase in «aggressive actions» sides of Russia near the borders of Ukraine. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is moving troops within its territory and at its own discretion. According to him, this does not threaten anyone and should not bother anyone.
