The British government on Friday urged Britons in Ukraine to leave the country as soon as possible, while there are still “commercial” ways available to do so.

The Foreign Office updated its travel advice page to warn against travel to Ukraine and stress that Britons in the country must “go now”.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed in a virtual meeting with other world leaders that “he is concerned about the security of Europe in the current situation,” Downing Street, his official office, said in a statement.

The UK’s head of government participated in a meeting to discuss the situation in Ukraine with leaders from the United States, Italy, Poland, Romania, France, Germany, the Council of Europe, the European Commission and NATO.

At the forum, he stressed the need for Western allies to make it “very clear” that a tough package of economic sanctions would be “prepared” if Russia decided to attack Ukraine, a move that for Britain would be “devastating”. and destructive” decisions.

The leaders agreed to “double down on diplomatic efforts in the coming days” and consider that there is a negotiated solution to the crisis if Russian President Vladimir Putin agrees to “de-escalate” tensions.

Putin “must understand that there will be severe sanctions and that will seriously damage the Russian economy,” Johnson insisted to other leaders, who urged allies to continue strengthening the eastern side of NATO territory and provide “defense” support. to Kiev.

The Foreign Office detailed that the British Embassy in Ukraine remained open, but had stopped providing face-to-face consular assistance.