As it happened: Russia threat new normal for Europe - Nato chief - BBC News
Nato defence ministers have been meeting to discuss the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
This was a bleak forecast for the future from Nato's secretary general.

Jens Stoltenberg described it as the most serious security crisis in Europe since the end of the Cold War. And he made clear that the threat hasn't gone away.

Stoltenberg said he'd seen no evidence that Russia had withdrawn forces from the border with Ukraine and warned that Russia had maintained a massive military force which was ready to attack.

Even if President Putin doesn't give that order, there are still signs this crises will cast a much longer shadow.

Stoltenberg said Russia's military build-up showed Moscow is prepared to contest European security with the use of force.

"I regret to say it's the new normal," he said. That "new normal" could also mean Nato increasing its military posture.

Stoltenberg has tasked Nato military planners to look at setting up new battlegroups on the alliance's Eastern flank - in Romania and the Black Sea region.

No final decision has yet been taken and Nato insists reinforcements would only be sent to act as a deterrent.

Nato is still calling on Russia to engage in dialogue to reduce tensions. But if diplomacy doesn't work the danger is both sides will end up with their armies doing the talking.