US intelligence: Putin decided to invade Ukraine

US media, quoting intelligence sources, reported that it was probable that Russian President Vladimir Putin had taken a decision to invade Ukraine. 

Simultaneously, Britain asked its citizens to leave Ukraine immediately, after Downing Street announced that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told his Western allies Friday during a virtual meeting on the situation in Ukraine, which is threatened by a Russian invasion, that he is "concerned for the security of Europe."

"The prime minister told the group that he is concerned about the security of Europe in the current circumstances," Johnson's spokesman said at the conclusion of the meeting, which included the leaders of Britain, the United States, Italy, Poland, Romania, France, Germany, the Council of Europe, the European Commission and NATO. 

In an indication of the weakness of the situation, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that Russia could invade Ukraine "at any time" after mobilized more than 100,000 soldiers and heavy weapons on its borders.  

For his part, German government spokesman Stephen Hipstraat on Friday said, "We still do not see any indication of de-escalation given the current situation, and we deeply regret that 

On Friday, the Kremlin said discussions that brought together Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France in Berlin on Thursday, seeking a solution to the Ukraine crisis, did not lead to "any result.