Angela Merkel warns Russia could seek to destabilise 'whole of the European peaceful order' - by Roland Oliphant

Russia could seek to destabilise vast areas of eastern Europe if it is not challenged in Ukraine, Angela Merkel warned on Monday.

The strongly worded statement came as Ukraine's president warned of a resumption of "total war" in the strife-torn country's east. In a speech to Sydney's Lowry Institute for International Policy Studies, the German Chancellor said Russia's annexation of Crimea and subsequent destabilisation of eastern Ukraine "called the whole of the European peaceful order into question".

"This isn't just about Ukraine," she said. "This is about Moldova, this is about Georgia, and if this continues then one will have to ask about Serbia and one will have to ask about the countries of the Western Balkans."

Mrs Merkel said she feared the creation of a Cold War-style zone of influence in Europe where Moscow could demand consultation on any major decision.

 Read more: Angela Merkel warns Russia could seek to destabilise 'whole of the European peaceful order' - Telegraph