Russia is preparing for a full-scale INVASION of Ukraine, warns President Poroshenko

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Russia is preparing for a full-scale INVASION of Ukraine - and Europe is too weak to prevent it, warns President Poroshenko
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President Petro Poroshenko said he could not rule out an invastion by the Kremlin
He warned that Europe could become powerless to fight Russian 'aggression'
The EU is split over continued sanctions against Russia
Tensions are high between Ukraine and Russia over Crimea

Published: 12:48 EST, 6 September 2016 | Updated: 15:00 EST, 6 September 2016

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Ukraine's president has warned that a full-scale invasion from Russia could be on the horizon - with Europe powerless to fight the Kremlin's 'aggression'.

Petro Poroshenko made the statement at the opening of the country's September parliament session today.

He warned that with Europe's internal strength being tested by the migration crisis and terrorist attacks, elections across the continent could see governments come to power which are more willing to compromise with Russia.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko fears that Europe will not stand up to Russian 'aggression', and that a full-scale invasion could be on the horizon

Poroshenko said: 'Ukraine will continue to need strong international support in the fight against Russian aggression.

'But securing this support is becoming increasingly difficult for our diplomats due to different objective and subjective factors.'

Leaders in Ukraine are worried about losing support in the standoff with Russia over the annexation of Crimea in 2014.

A Russian flag flies in the foreground as armed men in uniform block a Ukrainian military base near the village of Perevalne, 20 km south of Simferopol, Ukraine, in March 2014

Ukraine will continue to need strong international support in the fight against Russian aggression. But securing this support is becoming increasingly difficult for our diplomats due to different objective and subjective factors.

Petro Poroshenko

The ongoing conflict in the Donbass region between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian separatists has killed more than 9,500 people in the last two years.

The Ukrainian president said that although the country is safer than it was a year ago, a full-scale invasion from Russia could not be ruled out.

Poroshenko said: 'Over the course of the next year, political forces could come to power as a result of elections in several European countries that may not be extremist, but are inclined to compromise with the Kremlin.

Pro-Russian protesters clash with activists supporting the territorial integrity of Ukraine in 2014

'Europe still speaks with one voice, but there are also countries where the Russian accent is already too audible.'

The European Union is split over whether to continue putting sanctions on Russia that have taken an economic toll on both sides.

Ukrainian lawmakers have previously voiced fears that the rise of populist sentiment

Tensions between Ukraine and Russia spiked in August after Russia accused Ukraine of planning attacks in Crimea.

Tensions are high after Russia accused Ukraine of planning attacks in Crimea

Armed men, believed to be Russian servicemen, drive an armoured vehicle onto the territory of a military airbase as they attempt to take over in the Crimean town of Belbek near Sevastopol in March 2014