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Good morning from the Financial Times. Today is Monday, February 7th.

And this is your FT News Briefing.

Western powers are still trying to figure out how to deal with Russia.

International aid agencies say all the money the West is pouring into Afghanistan won't help

many people unless there are financial reforms as well. Plus, we're going to examine the UK's

migrant crisis. Yes, it's very hard. I missed everything in Afghanistan. You must come here,

because here's a little bit safe. In the first of our three-part series, we'll hear from refugees

in northern France who are desperately waiting to find a way across the English Channel.

I'm Mark Filipino and here's the news you need to start your day.

There is a frenzy of diplomacy this week aimed at de-escalating tensions with Russia.

French President Emmanuel Macron plans to visit his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin today.

Meanwhile, European and US officials are working on a backup plan in case Russia cuts off gas to the EU.

That could be Russia's response to Western sanctions if Moscow invades Ukraine.

The FT reports that the EU could have a tough time getting all 27 member states on board with

sanctions, though. The block relies heavily on Russia for energy, and some member states,

like Italy and Austria, have a specially strong business ties to Russia.

Western cash is starting to flow into Afghanistan to stem a growing humanitarian crisis,

but international aid agencies warn that the money won't help much without reforms that make

sure the funds get to ordinary people. Aid agencies are urging Western governments to release

frozen Afghan central bank reserves. They say this would restore inter-bank lending and

...