Russia wouldnt have invaded Ukraine without Brexit, suggests top MEP

Russia may not have invaded Ukraine if Brexit had not happened, senior MEP Guy Verhofstadt has said on the third anniversary of the UKs withdrawal from the EU.

Mr Verhofstadt the European parliaments former Brexit coordinator suggested Vladimir Putin calculated that the continent was not united on defence after the UKs exit from the bloc.

This war, this brutal invasion started with Putin and Russia, he told LBC. Its really an attempt by Putin to restore the old Soviet Union. The only difference is the communist party is replaced with his own cronies.

Mr Verhofstadt added: A united Europe, certainly on defence matters, would make an enormous difference. I think maybe without Brexit, maybe there was no invasion. I dont know.

The MEP, former leader of liberal alliance in the Brussels parliament, said he hoped the UK could still rejoin the EU but conceded it was unlikely in the next five years.