Russia-Ukraine row in ‘80% chance’ of erupting into all-out war ‘Only Germany can stop it’

Russia has so far refused to stand down the thousands of soldiers currently amassed on its shared border with Ukraine, citing concerns about NATO expansion as justification for the hostile stance. Kiev has urged the US and European members of NATO to stand by its side to avoid further attempts of invasion mimicking Crimea’s annexation in 2014. But despite Moscow insisting they do not want a war, former US Army in Europe chief Lt. Col. Ben Hodges warned chances of the skirmish developing into “hot war” stand around “80 percent” at the moment.

The former General Commander of the US Army in Europe replied: “Yes, a continuation of the invasion.

“The only thing that is going to stop it is if Germany and the rest of Europe are 100 percent force-squared against what Russia is doing. Germany is the key.”

Mr Frei said: “And they’re not doing it right now because selling Miele washing machines is more important than the principles of freedom, as some crudely put it to me?”

Mr Hodges said: “Not yet. Germany, they don’t have the self-confidence right now. They don’t know who they are in Europe.”

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He explained: “There are still a few more Russian Navy ships underway headed towards the Black Sea, I believe.

“And this exercise in Belarus is scheduled to end around the 20 [January].

“If there is going to be another attack, we’re talking about the last week of February.”

Russia has publicised a series of military drills close to the Ukrainian border throughout December and this week deployed jets to Belarus to undertake joint exercises.