The arrival of 4,000 Russian soldiers at the country’s border with Ukraine could trigger a European war, according to a military expert in the region.
Pavel Felgenhauer’s warnings came at a time when social media showed suspicion of a Russian military surge near rebel-controlled eastern Ukraine and the annexed Crimea region, according to reports.
“The crisis has the potential to turn into a pan-European, if not worldwide, war,” said Felgenhauer, an independent Russian military analyst, in a recent interview with the Rosbalt newspaper in Russia. “Is it going to happen or not? Let’s wait and see. In the West, they don’t know what to do about it. ”
On Friday, Russia warned that it would “take extra measures” if NATO sends troops to Ukraine, as images of Russian military helicopters and tanks are piling up on the border.
Last week, the United States promised “unwavering support” for Ukraine.