One million more people could flee war-torn Syria for Europe in a dramatic escalation of the migrant crisis, it was claimed yesterday.

Turkey is expecting the worsening situation in the country to displace another two million people over the winter.

And capital Ankara claimed that half of them were likely to head across its borders into Europe as a result of Russian air strikes in the region.

Many of the migrants are unlikely to hang around in Turkey and are expected to try and make the dangerous journey across Europe

Horrific: Syrian civilians have been suffering from the longstanding war in their country, with the conflict worsening following the recent Russian air strikes and rebel advances

Hopeful: Many of the migrants expected to cross into Turkey are likely to try to make the journey to Europe

Shocking: Several migrants in a registration camp in Macedonia lie down, suffering from exhaustion

But the country – which already has more than two million refugees within its borders – was accused of blackmail as it demanded an extra £2billion a year from the EU to cope with the deepening crisis.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has promised Turkey speedier talks on its aspirations to join the EU in exchange for it sealing its borders and halting the flow of migrants.

She has also pledged to ease visa restrictions on its citizens travelling to the EU, something that has already drawn sharp criticism from member states.

However last night critics branded any extra cash a ‘grubby’ bribe ahead of Turkey’s general election on Sunday.

The country is letting at least 10,000 refugees a day slip past border guards and into the EU. But Russian intervention in Syria has increased fears of another great exodus.

Survivor: One young lady reacts with joy having survived the dangerous sea journey from Turkey to Greece

Worrying: The expected increase in migrants in Turkey comes as an EU chief issued a warning over concerns the crisis may only get wors

The Royal Navy has been used in recent weeks to help stem the growing number of migrant boats attempting to cross the mediterranean

Many of the migrants found in the flimsy boats have travelled hundreds of miles from across Africa to meet in Libya and make the dangerous crossing

If they are realised, Turkey could find itself harbouring between three and four million displaced people.

It could place even more pressure on countries later receiving them in the EU, where member states are already erecting fences and ripping up the free movement principles underpinning the Union.

The EU’s foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, yesterday warned the bloc risked ‘disintegrating’ if it failed to respond collectively to the worst crisis since the Second World War.

Her warning came as it emerged that Turkey had apparently raised its price for helping to deal with the refugee crisis.

Sources told the EU Observer website that Turkey was operating a ‘protection racket’.

HMS Richmond has been one of the Royal Navy vessels used as part of the European Maritime Forces Rescue 101 Migrants off the North Coast of Africa

Holding back: Austrian soldier try to keep control of a large crowd of refugees near Spielfield, Austria

Tense moment: Many of the refugees have been waiting hours to try and cross the border from Slovenia to Austria

Shocking: Vast numbers of refugees are escorted from a local train station in Sentilj, Slovenia

They said: ‘It’s a classic protection racket. First you give 1billion euros and they say it’s not enough. Then 3billion euros [£2.1billion] and they come back and say “Now you have to pay more”.

‘They’re in a position where they can open or close the sluice gates [on refugee arrivals] to put pressure on the EU for extra concessions.’

Ukip leader Nigel Farage said: ‘David Cameron has been a cheerleader for Turkish accession to the EU for years.

‘Now [President] Erdogan is blackmailing the EU, using the migrant crisis as his crowbar to prise open European taxpayers’ pockets.’

He told the Daily Mail: ‘This new demand for 3billion euros annually is directed as much at the guilt-stricken governments of Europe as to his own people as a grubby election promise.

Tears of emotion: One man clutches relatives upon landing on the Greek island of Lesbos

Waiting and hoping: Dozens of migrants escaping suffering and poverty from countries like Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, wait in line to be registered.

Helping hand: One volunteer assists a young boy after he landed in Europe, having started his difficult journey in Turkey

‘Britain should have nothing to do with plans to salve Angela Merkel’s conscience, particularly when we can see the Erdogan government intensifying both its crackdown on the freedom of speech and in the prosecution of its war against the Kurds.’

The European Commission has agreed to delay an annual report on Turkey’s progress in meeting the EU’s strict membership criteria until after the November 1 general election.

A leaked draft accused Turkey of ‘backsliding’ over the independence of its judiciary, and on Wednesday police stormed the studios of two broadcasters which had been critical of the president.

Negotiations with Turkey came as Europe’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Miss Mogherini, said that if the EU merely relied on national responses to a continent-wide issue, ‘the crisis will get worse, with chain reactions from public opinion and national governments’.