NATO has warned Moscow to abandon its belligerent foreign policy and co-operate with the west or face a military alliance steeled for conflict on the eve of a week of intense diplomacy aimed at averting a Russian assault on Ukraine.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO secretary-general, said the US-led defence pact was prepared for “a new armed conflict in Europe” should negotiations fail, as western officials readied for potential discussions with Moscow on reducing the size of military exercises, arms control and a pledge not to deploy US missiles in Ukraine.

“I am aware of Russia’s history. For centuries they have experienced conflict with neighbours”, - he told the Financial Times. “[But] Russia has an alternative: to co-operate, to work with NATO”.

“It is possible to find together a path, a political way forward, and also to address Russia’s concerns… But there continues to be a risk of conflict”, - Stoltenberg said in an interview. “NATO’s deterrence is credible and strong… We have to hope and work hard for the best, but be prepared for the worst.”