Europe 'may be on the verge of war': Germany's vice chancellor on Ukraine

13 February 2022, 15:07

Mr Habeck said the Ukraine crisis is an extremely dangerous situation, which could result in war in Europe.
Mr Habeck said the Ukraine crisis is an extremely dangerous situation, which could result in war in Europe. Picture: Alamy

By Elizabeth Haigh

Germany's vice chancellor Robert Habeck said today Europe may be on the brink of war due to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Mr Habeck, who represents the Green Party, told German broadcaster NTL: "We may be on the verge of war in Europe.

"With large armies of tanks facing each other. It is absolutely oppressive and threatening."

His comments come as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz prepares to launch a last ditch attempt to ease tensions between Russia and the West.

Mr Scholz plans to travel to Kyiv on Monday, before arriving in Moscow on Tuesday.

Read more: 'Don't fear Putin': Former Ukraine PM's message to West as Russia invasion 'highly likely'

He will hold talks with Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, on Monday and is likely to offer more German economic aid.

He tweeted that "Germany stands side by side with its allies" when it comes to Russia and the Ukraine.

Sources have predicted Russia could invade Ukraine as early as this Wednesday, but Russia denies any intent to start conflict. Russia has blamed NATO for exaggerating the situation.

Western nations such as the UK and USA have advised all citizens to leave Ukraine as soon as possible, and told them not to travel to the country.

Fallon: Putin could carry out expansion if allowed invade Ukraine

Some airlines are reportedly already diverting or cancelling aircraft due to land in the country.

The UK has indicated it would assist Ukraine with arming and training troops in the event of a Russian invasion.

Ukrainian civilians have been pictured training in anticipation of aggression, holding wooden gun replicas and training in units.

It is estimated some 130,000 Russian troops are readying themselves on the Ukranian border, both in Russia and in Belarus.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace today tweeted that he has decided to return home early from a family "long weekend" due to the precarious situation.

He said there is a "whiff of Munich in the air", in an apparent reference to the agreement that allowed German annexation of the Sudetenland in 1938 but failed to prevent the Second World War.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she spoke to US secretary of state Antony Blinken on Saturday, and shared her "acute concerns" that Russia could launch further military aggression against Ukraine within days.

She said: "We agree Russia will face massive consequences for any invasion, including severe sanctions."

Former Ukraine PM issues message to West amid border crisis

She reportedly had a very frosty meeting with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov this week, in which the two failed to agree a path forward.

Read more: Defence Secretary Ben Wallace cancels family half term break amid Ukraine crisis

Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who served as the Ukraine's PM between 2014 and 2016 told Swarbrick on Sunday: "Strong political will is needed for the free world to defend our values.

"Don’t be scared of Putin. He [Putin] has the gut feeling, those who are scared, are weak.

Mr Yatsenyuk was speaking from the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, after Defence Secretary Ben Wallace comments that an invasion from Russia was "highly likely".

According to a readout of an hour-long call between Joe Biden told Mr Putin on Saturday, the US and its allies warned Russia they would "respond decisively and impose swift and severe costs" if an invasion takes place.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Rubert Gispin was visiting flood-hit parts of his native Valencia

Spanish influencer defends ‘shameful’ decision to deliberately cover himself in mud in Valencia’s flood damaged streets

Sara Sharif's father denies murdering the 10-year-old.

Father claims he begged to save Sara Sharif before being told ‘Leave it, she’s dead’

Queen Camilla is unwell with a chest infection and has withdrawn from her engagements this week

The Queen withdraws from engagements this week after being taken ill, Buckingham Palace announces

Tesco customers are furious after being forced to wait hours to book a Christmas delivery slot.

'It's like getting Beyonce tickets': Fury as Tesco shoppers face 'ridiculous' online queues for Christmas delivery slots

Ladbaby has broken its silence on historic allegations of gripping.

Charity chart-topper Ladbaby breaks his silence on 'groping' allegations

Labour MP Chris Webb 'attacked and mugged' near London flat by phone snatching gang

Labour MP Chris Webb 'attacked and mugged' near London flat by phone snatching gang

The White House has been barricaded and restaurants and stores boarded up as tensions rise over the election.

Washington DC braces for unrest as White House is barricaded and stores boarded up ahead of US election

Sir Chris Hoy said 'if you're over the age of 45, go and ask your doctor' for screening

Sir Chris Hoy calls for men to be offered prostate cancer screening from the age of 45 after his terminal diagnosis

Kamala Harris went door-knocking in Pennsylvania on the night before the election

Kamala Harris surprises residents in Pennsylvania as she goes door-knocking in final bid to win votes

Nearly 600 police officers sacked in a year amid as shocking figures reveal extent of misconduct crackdown

Nearly 600 police officers sacked in a year as shocking figures reveal extent of misconduct crackdown

Hundreds of people died in the devastating flooding in Spain

British man who survived Valencia floods describes hearing his neighbours’ horrifying final screams before they died

Amy Dowden said she was ‘heartbroken' as she left this year's Strictly Come Dancing

Amy Dowden says her ‘heart is breaking’ after she confirmed she will not return to Strictly

Anthony Scaramucci said the row between Trump and Labour would blow over

'Anglophile' Trump's row with Starmer will have 'no impact' on wider relations with UK, Anthony Scaramucci says

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the United States'

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the US'

Exclusive
Nick Ferrari bumps into Nigel Farage in Pennsylvania as he reflects on Trump's "remarkable" foreign policy achievements

Nick Ferrari bumps into Nigel Farage in Pennsylvania as he reflects on Trump's 'near-death' experience

Live
Americans are heading to the polls in their millions today

US Presidential Election 2024 LIVE: Millions of Americans head to the polls in the final race for the White House