The tensions around Russia and Ukraine represent "perhaps the biggest crisis Europe has seen in decades", Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has said.
Minister Coveney will meet with Ukraine's foreign minister tonight as part of the Munich Security Conference.
The growing tensions in eastern Europe will be one of the major topics of the conference, which brings together heads of state, ministers and prominent figures from media, academia and business.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Minister Coveney said: “This is perhaps the biggest crisis that Europe has seen in decades.
“That is why there are so many people trying to find a way to defuse tension and - through intense diplomacy and clear deterrents - avoid war.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to give a speech at the Munich conference later, where he'll make a call to avoid 'unnecessary bloodshed'.
US Vice President Kamala Harris and a bipartisan group of members of the US Congress will be among the others in attendance.
US President Joe Biden said yesterday that he's 'convinced' Russia has decided on an invasion of Ukraine, and that an attack could happen within days.
Moscow, however, has consistently denied it's planning an attack.
Mr Putin yesterday suggested western countries will find a reason to impose "illegitimate" sanctions on Russia, no matter what happens in Ukraine.
