Yuliia Laputina, Ukraine's minister for veterans affairs who previously served as the head of the nation's MI5 equivalent, said that her country was ready to defend itself against an attack from its neighbour. However, she foresaw the conflict spreading far beyond its borders and engulfing much of Europe. Lithuanian President Gitanas Naus？da said the situation was “probably the most dangerous situation” in 30 years. The EU summit will also address COVID-19 crisis management as the continent battles its fifth wave of the virus.

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       Additional reporting by Monika Pallenberg