Biden threatens Putin with personal sanctions over Ukraine | First Thing

US makes preparations to avoid European gas crisis if flow from Russia is cut, while talks aimed at defusing tensions continue. Plus, 224 new species found

Good morning.

Joe Biden has said he will consider personal sanctions against Vladimir Putin if Russia invades Ukraine, as western leaders step up military preparations and make plans to shield Europe from Russian gas being cut off.

Why are Germany and France at odds with the Anglosphere over how to handle Russia? The differences reflect not just different short-term assessments on intelligence, but a deep fissure going back decades about what Germany and France, as opposed to the Anglosphere, regard as the best way to handle Russia.

What's happening today? Johnson faces MPs in the weekly prime minister's question time today. You can follow along here. Last week during the fixed session, some of his own MPs called for him to resign.

Did Johnson have a birthday party in lockdown? Apparently so, although one Tory MP claimed it wasn't a proper party and that Johnson was ambushed with a cake". Social media erupted with mockery at the MP's remarks.