FOLLOWING the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian military, an MP has given his thoughts on the situation that has been described as a 'very dark day in Europe'.

For months, Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, denied planning to attack Ukraine, but he has now torn up a peace deal and ordered troops into two rebel-held eastern regions, in his words to 'maintain peace'.

At least 150,00 troops from Russia have now been deployed in Ukraine in the recent months, and it is feared that its latest move marks the first step in a new invasion.

Boris Johnson is leading a crisis meeting of ministers and senior officials to consider the response to Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine.

The Government is preparing to slap sanctions on key Russian figures and businesses after President Putin recognised two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine as independent states.

Europe is braced for further confrontation and Ukraine has urged its citizens to leave Russia after tensions escalated dramatically when Putin cleared the use of military force outside his country.

Hopes for a diplomatic way out of a new devastating war appeared all but sunk as the US and key European allies accused Moscow of crossing a red line in rolling over Ukraine’s border into separatist regions — with several calling it an invasion.

John Stevenson, the MP for Carlisle, shared his concerns.

He said: "Obviously it is a deeply concerning time.

"We have seen an independent country being invaded, and the concern is that his could lead to a full on invasion, which I think could be very destabilising for all of Europe.

"As for the West's response, I think it has been proportionate."

Some fear a large war could break out, potentially worldwide.

On this, Mr Stevenson said: "I think the chances of an all out war are slim, but if Russia were to invade Ukraine more, there could be othere crises, such as a refugee crisis."