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Defence bosses in three governments said Vladimir Putin had become unpredictable and had a history of attacking neighbours.

Accusing him of "unprecedented" aggression in Europe, they warned he was ready to risk it all in "a game without rules" against them.

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It comes after British troops were sent to the Baltic amid fears Russia would invade the region in the same way it did Ukraine.

With NATO rules stipulating any attack on one member state is an attack on all, Britain could be plunged into a new world war.

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Juozas Olekas, the Lithuanian minister of defence, hailed the UK for putting boots on the ground in his country.

He told Daily Star Online: "We would like to live in peace with Russia as our neighbours, but it depends on Russia's behaviour."

Naming other countries occupied by Kremlin forces, he said Lithuania had massively increased military spending and was already taking part in joint operations with British forces.

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Army bosses in nearby Estonia said they had seen a "constant build up" of Putin's troops on NATO borders and branded his recent actions "unimaginable".

And while they think the strength of NATO will deter the Russian strongman, a spokesman warned: "Putin may miscalculate the strength of NATO’s bonds."

He said: "Russia has shown its willingness to use military force against its close neighbours – in 2008 in Georgia and since 2014 in Ukraine.

"It's clear that NATO cannot leave an obvious challenge to its security unattended.

"Russia’s behaviour is becoming increasingly harder to forecast which leads to the need to take steps to ensure our own security."

And he warned his country would use "any means to defend its freedom and independence."

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Defence chiefs in neighbouring Latvia accused Putin of undermining the international order, violating nations' territorial integrity and showcasing its might in the Baltic.

"Our main area of concern is Russia’s unpredictability," a government spokesman said.

"Its aggression in Ukraine proves that Russia is ready to use military force for political objectives and to risk international isolation.

"Russia’s assertiveness and military power have grown during the last three to four years.

"It has significantly contributed to modernising its military infrastructure and boosting capabilities along European borders that goes in line with the significant increase in its military expenditure."

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In a stark warning, he added: "Russia is ready to continue the confrontation with the West and is ready to play the game without rules.

"It applies not only to Ukraine, but also to the relations with the West."

The office of Russian president Vladimir Putin was contacted for comment by the Daily Star Online, but had not responded at time of writing.