NATO expansionism is to blame for increasing global tensions, peace campaigners warned today after Security Minister Dan Jarvis said that Britain must be “incredibly careful” to avoid Kremlin retaliation if Ukrainian forces fire British missiles into Russia.

He was speaking after the government signalled that the missiles could be used for this purpose, admitting that “we’ve got to guard against” the risk of reaction by Moscow.

Stop the War Coalition national officer Chris Nineham said: "Everyone accepts the world is becoming increasingly dangerous as the US tries to face down global challengers and Israel threatens to start a new war against Hezbollah in Lebanon.