Diplomatic Intelligence Brief — 13 Feb 2026

1) Executive Summary - Russia intensifies diplomatic outreach across Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East (Burkina Faso, Turkmenistan, Algeria, Palestinian National Initiative); official readouts largely unavailable. Source not fully captured. - UK sharpens multilateral positioning: rebuts Russian narratives at the OSCE and condemns escalating attacks on Ukrainian civilians; backs Yemen’s new government at the UN Security Council. - UK sanctions infrastructure refreshed: core guidance and Russia-specific designations page updated—signal of continued enforcement cycles; monitor for imminent listing activity. - UK projects food security agenda in Europe via ministerial speech in Paris; FCDO tables Supplementary Estimate, indicating resource reallocation ahead of policy execution. - UK–India Social Security Agreement presented to Parliament, reducing frictions for cross‑border labor and investment once in force.

2) Key Developments (by theatre/topic) - Russia — Outreach and Positioning - Lavrov met Burkina Faso FM Karamoko Traoré in Moscow; separate press release on the meeting. Source not fully captured. [4][14] - Lavrov call with Turkmenistan FM Rashid Meredov. Source not fully captured. [9] - Deputy FM Alimov met Algeria’s Ambassador in Moscow. Source not fully captured. [20] - Deputy FM Vershinin met Mustafa Barghouti (Palestinian National Initiative). Source not fully captured. [22] - MFA briefing (Zakharova) and Lavrov video message to young diplomats. Sources not fully captured. [12][15] - Europe/OSCE and Ukraine - UK at OSCE: counters Russia’s claims about the OSCE; ties institutional erosion to Russia’s aggression and detention of OSCE staff; signals openness to “facts and law”-based dialogue. [18] - UK at OSCE: cites UN/OSCE reporting on Russia’s escalating attacks on Ukrainian civilians, including FPV drones and intensified missile strikes; frames conduct as IHL violations. [24] - Middle East — Yemen - UK at UNSC: supports Yemen’s new government and its efforts on security, stability, and prosperity. [7] - Sanctions/Compliance - UK Sanctions List guidance updated; Russia designations/notices page refreshed—watch for new designations/revocations. [2][3] - Food Security/Policy - Environment Secretary speech in Paris on UK Agricultural Strategy in Europe—focus on food security, resilience, standards. [6] - Resourcing/Legal Architecture - FCDO Supplementary Estimate Memorandum (FY 2025–26) published—details shifts in budgets. [8] - UK–India Social Security Agreement (contributions) presented to Parliament. [25] - Consular/Travel Risk (routine but relevant) - Travel advice updates: Liberia, Indonesia, Guinea, Cuba. [1][13][19][23] - Guidance updates: support for victims of rape/sexual assault (Estonia, Azerbaijan), doctors list (Azerbaijan), homicide support MoU; “Living in” updates (Chile, St Lucia). [5][16][17][21][10][11]

3) Signals & Intent - Russia MFA: Broadening non‑Western diplomatic channels (Sahel, Central Asia, Arab sphere) to demonstrate strategic depth and optionality amid Western pressure. Source not fully captured. - UK (Multilateral): Sustained narrative and legal counteroffensive against Russia within OSCE; reinforcement of Yemen stabilization track at UNSC to maintain coalition legitimacy. - UK (Sanctions/Compliance): Maintenance of a live sanctions posture; preparation for iterative enforcement actions and alignment with partners. - UK (Agri/Supply): External messaging on food security and standards to shape European policy space and market perceptions. - UK–India: Institutionalizing portability/coordination of social security to de‑risk mobility for firms and workers.

4) Watchlist (next 72 hours) - UK sanctions pages (general and Russia): monitor for new designations, delistings, or notices. [2][3] - Russian MFA: release of full readouts/agreements from meetings with Burkina Faso, Turkmenistan, Algeria, and PNI; themes to track—security, energy, training, aid. Sources not fully captured. [4][9][20][22][14][15][12] - OSCE/UN calendars: follow‑on statements or drafts responding to Ukraine strikes or Yemen governance developments. [7][18][24] - FCDO Supplementary Estimate: parliamentary handling and any consequential guidance to posts/programmes. [8] - UK–India Social Security Agreement: ratification steps/timetable; implementing instruments or guidance to employers. [25] - Travel advisories: any rapid updates for Liberia/Guinea/Indonesia/Cuba tied to security, public order, or health triggers. [1][13][19][23]

5) Source Index 1) Liberia travel advice — https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/liberia 2) Guidance: The UK Sanctions List — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uk-sanctions-list 3) Russia: list of designations and sanctions notices — https://www.gov.uk/guidance/russia-list-of-designations-and-sanctions-notices 4) Lavrov meeting with Burkina Faso FM — http://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/2080583/ (Source not fully captured) 5) Estonia: information for victims of rape and sexual assault — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/estonia-information-for-victims-of-rape-and-sexual-assault 6) Environment Secretary speech on food security — https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/environment-secretary-speech-on-food-security-resilience-and-standards 7) UK statement at UNSC on Yemen — https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-uk-fully-supports-the-new-governments-efforts-to-advance-security-stability-and-prosperity-for-the-yemeni-people-uk-statement-at-the-un-securit 8) FCDO Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2025–26 — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fcdo-supplementary-estimate-memorandum-2025-to-2026 9) Lavrov call with Turkmenistan FM — http://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/2080432/ (Source not fully captured) 10) Living in St Lucia — https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-st-lucia 11) Living in Chile — https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-chile-guidance 12) Lavrov video message (young diplomats) — http://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/2080312/ (Source not fully captured) 13) Indonesia travel advice — https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/indonesia 14) Lavrov remarks with Burkina Faso FM — http://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/2080303/ (Source not fully captured) 15) MFA briefing (Zakharova) — http://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/2080214/ (Source not fully captured) 16) Azerbaijan: information for victims of rape and sexual assault — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/azerbaijan-information-for-victims-of-rape-and-sexual-assault 17) Azerbaijan: doctors — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/azerbaijan-list-of-medical-facilitiespractitioners 18) UK statement to OSCE (correcting Russia’s claims) — https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/correcting-russias-false-claims-about-the-osce-uk-statement-to-the-osce 19) Guinea travel advice — https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/guinea 20) Deputy FM Alimov meeting with Algeria’s Ambassador — http://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/2080198/ (Source not fully captured) 21) Murder/manslaughter of British nationals abroad (MoU) — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/murder-manslaughter-and-infanticide-of-british-nationals-abroad-memorandum-of-understanding 22) Deputy FM Vershinin meeting with Mustafa Barghouti — http://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/2080103/ (Source not fully captured) 23) Cuba travel advice — https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cuba 24) UK statement to OSCE (attacks on Ukrainian civilians) — https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/russias-escalating-attacks-on-ukrainian-civilians-violate-international-humanitarian-law-uk-statement-to-the-osce 25) UK/India Social Security Agreement — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukindia-agreement-on-social-security-relating-to-social-security-contributions-cs-india-no22026