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"There are divisions within NATO," said Sophia Besch, a European defense expert at the London-based Centre for European Reform think tank. "Some allies feel the focus should be on the south."

Charles Grant, director of the pro-EU Centre for European Reform think-tank, said: "It is quite possible that Parliament would vote to impose the Norway model on a post-Brexit Tory government."

His visit will not help Russia’s relationship with the West, will do nothing to resolve the ongoing Ukraine crisis, and could even split the European Union, according to Ian Bond, the director of foreign policy at the London-based Centre for European Reform think-tank. It will certainly deliver the Russian leader another propaganda coup, he says.

"Brexit would make the narrative of the EU about disintegration, not integration," researchers at the London-based Centre for European Reform said in a report entitled: "Europe after Brexit: Unleashed or undone?"

His visit will not help Russia’s relationship with the West, will do nothing to resolve the ongoing Ukraine crisis, and could even split the European Union, according to Ian Bond, the director of foreign policy at the London-based Centre for European Reform think-tank. It will certainly deliver the Russian leader another propaganda coup, he says. “This is a really bad move by Juncker. It is really ill-timed,” Mr Bond said, dismissing the 16-18 June St Petersburg International Forum as “a fundraiser for the Russian economy” rather than a serious conference.

Several EU states were present at the debate, including Poland, represented by Agatha Gostynska-Jakubowska, a research fellow from the Centre for European Reform. Joining her from Denmark was Dr Sara Hagermann, an assistant professor at the LSE European Institute. Germany was represented by Die Welt correspondent Alan Posener, and Ireland sent Brian O'Connell, UK consultant director of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce and former editor of RTE news.