this is not a response to any specific intelligence threatening uk staff as a result of anything the british government has done in terms of warning about russia trying to set up puppet governments in ukraine are anything like that, it is the generic, growing threat of a russian military incursion into ukraine that has led to this action and i think there are two factors, if anything happens it could happen quickly, there are now increasing numbers of russian troops in belarus, just on the north of the ukraine border, that is getting much closer to kyiv than the troops on the far eastern border of ukraine. secondly, remember, what is the most recent crisis situation that both the british and american governments have had to deal with to evacuate troops and citizens and diplomats quickly? afghanistan. and i think both bureaucracies of these institutions are learning from that experience and saying right, we want to get our ducks in a row but the problem is, of course, other countries
imminent russian invasion? weill. sensible ahead of what could be an imminent russian invasion? well, the british government imminent russian invasion? well, the british government says imminent russian invasion? well, the british government says it imminent russian invasion? well, the british government says it is - imminent russian invasion? well, the british government says it is a - british government says it is a precaution, they are doing this because they have a duty of care to staff. they expect about half the staff. they expect about half the staff at the embassy in kyiv to return to the uk in the coming days. i imagine, they say very explicitly this is not a response to any specific intelligence threatening uk style as a result of anything the british government has done in terms of warning about russia trying to set up governments in ukraine are anything like that, it is the generic, growing threat of a russian military incursion into ukraine that has led to this actio
and encouraged putin to keep pursuing diplomacy. the leaked video was obviously intended for those in the west. this comes as u.s. officials warn some russian troops appear to be moving closer to the ukrainian border, not further away. the u.s. is still proceeding as if an invasion could be imminent. it s moved remaining diplomats to western ukraine. the white house is continuing to game out its response to a possible russian military incursion. lloyd austin meets today to meet with nato leaders in brussels. i have mike memoli from the white house, courtney kube at the pentagon, richard engel in ukraine, matt bodner at the white house. we ll hear from the president today. obviously he wants to put a pressurial stamp on where things are right now. you talk with folks that are following the situation closely,
excepting ukraine as a member of the nato alliance? i excepting ukraine as a member of the nato alliance? of the nato alliance? i don t thinkthat of the nato alliance? i don t think that is of the nato alliance? i don t think that is going of the nato alliance? i don t think that is going to - of the nato alliance? i don t think that is going to affectl think that is going to affect what nato does. nato cosmic policy is that there is an open door and they are not going to change it. but nato is beginning to realise that as well as, in addition to having to take on russia, they are now taking on a much closer russian chinese relationship, and a china that is going to back rusher up, so it means that it is more, if you like, stress on the nato alliance that does make as they look at the challenges they face. let s fli- to challenges they face. let s flip to another challenges they face. let s flip to another part - challenges they face. let s flip to another part of- challenge
they re also able to gather a lot of important information on their radar about what russian military planes are in the air, and what they re doing. nato has ruled out sending troops into ukraine, but wants to demonstrate there is a strong presence ready to defend the region. the raf says these patrols are a robust response to the escalating crisis below. there s a very human element to it, and we all feel that, we all watch the news. we ve been launching around two additional flights a day from the uk, and additional flights as well from cyprus, so it has been a really significant increase. the typhoons are armed with air to air missiles. if there was to be a russian military incursion into a nato country, these fighterjets may be cleared to engage them. but for now, it s hoped the increased presence will send a clear message. emma vardy, bbc news. i6 16 minutes past six. let s take a look at some of today s papers.