Garry Kasparov, a former chess champion turned opposition activist in Russia, says he sees no solution to the crisis in Ukraine as long as Vladimir Putin's territorial ambitions remain.

"Since it's the only argument for Putin to stay in power in Russia, I don't think he will stop with Crimea. I think he will continue as long as he can move forward." he told SBS reporter Brian Thomson.

"The population that is now so enthusastic is living in a world of illusions."

"Unfortunately today we have too many similarities with the dark history of the '30s."

Mr Kasparov is an outspoken opponent of President Putin and has compared the Russian president to Adolf Hitler.

Now a Croatian citizen he says war is inevitable unless Europe and the US present a united front.