[{"document_url": "http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/643142/European-Council-Donald-Tusk-crisis-EU-like-day-before-World-War-One", "unformatted_src": "https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/139/590x/Donald-Tusk-643142.jpg", "src": "https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/139/590x/Donald-Tusk-643142.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Donald Tusk", "alt_text": "Donald Tusk"}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/643142/European-Council-Donald-Tusk-crisis-EU-like-day-before-World-War-One", "unformatted_src": "https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/139/590x/secondary/462722.jpg", "src": "https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/139/590x/secondary/462722.jpg"}, null, null, {"document_url": "http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/643142/European-Council-Donald-Tusk-crisis-EU-like-day-before-World-War-One", "unformatted_src": "http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/galleries/x/.jpg", "src": "http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/galleries/x/.jpg"}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/643142/European-Council-Donald-Tusk-crisis-EU-like-day-before-World-War-One", "unformatted_src": "http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/20/132x88/870318_1.jpg", "src": "http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/20/132x88/870318_1.jpg", "alt_text": "I'm A Celebrity 2017 Lorraine Kelly line-up breaks silence Piers Morgan ITV"}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/643142/European-Council-Donald-Tusk-crisis-EU-like-day-before-World-War-One", "unformatted_src": "http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/20/132x88/870314_1.jpg", "src": "http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/20/132x88/870314_1.jpg", "alt_text": "bbc weather bbc breakfast weather report Carol Kirkwood forecast Dan Walker "}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/643142/European-Council-Donald-Tusk-crisis-EU-like-day-before-World-War-One", "unformatted_src": "http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/139/132x88/870311_1.jpg", "src": "http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/139/132x88/870311_1.jpg", "alt_text": "Angela Merkel Brexit leaks talks Brexit EU Jean Claude Juncker Theresa May"}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/643142/European-Council-Donald-Tusk-crisis-EU-like-day-before-World-War-One", "unformatted_src": "http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/20/132x88/870310_1.jpg", "src": "http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/20/132x88/870310_1.jpg", "alt_text": "Dancing On Ice line-up contestant revealed ITV Max Evans "}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/643142/European-Council-Donald-Tusk-crisis-EU-like-day-before-World-War-One", "unformatted_src": "http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/20/132x88/870309_1.jpg", "src": "http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/20/132x88/870309_1.jpg", "alt_text": "The Walking Dead season 8 episode 1 spoilers easter eggs references Rick Grimes "}, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, {"document_url": "http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/643142/European-Council-Donald-Tusk-crisis-EU-like-day-before-World-War-One", "unformatted_src": "http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/139/rh_box/1183_boxnew.jpg", "src": "http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/139/rh_box/1183_boxnew.jpg", "formatted_filename": "boxnew", "alt_text": "http://games.express.co.uk/quizzes-games?game=arkadiuminc13/which-prime-minister-are-you"}, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]
Donald Tusk warned Europe feels like 'the day before World War One'

European Council president Donald Tusk, who is in charge of Britain’s EU renegotiation deal, highlighted the upheaval caused by the global migrant crisis and the threat of Brexit as he delivered a doom-laden message.

The former Polish prime minister has described his current negotiations over David Cameron’s demands for EU reform as “very fragile”.

Mr Tusk is hoping EU leaders will rubber-stamp a draft agreement he has prepared with the Prime Minister at a crunch summit next week.

It is believed some members states are still opposed to the reforms asked for by Mr Cameron, which have been dismissed as “pathetic” and “watered-down thin gruel” by his own Tory MPs.

Ahead of Britain’s upcoming in/out referendum on EU membership, Mr Tusk revealed his fear the influx of refugees into Europe over the last year and Brussels’ inability to deal with the crisis could push UK voters towards opting to leave the EU.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels yesterday, he said: “The migration crisis is the worst political context for this referendum, I have no doubt, because it is so easy to blame the EU as a whole, the EU institutions, other Europe countries for this migration crisis.

“And I am afraid that this is the greatest tool for the eurosceptics.”

Mr Tusk also admitted the “details” of his deal with Mr Cameron will be less important than Britons’ “main political mood” towards Europe and migration issues. Italy PM Matteo Renzi compared the EU to 'the orchestra playing on the Titanic' 1 of

You know what I mean: it is like the day before World War One

European Council president Donald Tusk

The Brussels chief compared the current crises affecting Europe as similar to the climate before the outbreak of war in 1914.

He said: “We need to be as effective as possible in our campaign against radicalism because I feel that as a historian it is very similar to some very dangerous moments in our history.

“You know what I mean: it is like the day before World War One.”

Mr Tusk’s downbeat comments came after Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi continued his attacks on Brussels.

The outspoken leader, who is backing some of Mr Cameron’s reforms, compared the EU to “like the orchestra playing on the Titanic”.

Although Mr Tusk did not name any member states specifically, he expressed his fear other European politicians could copy Britain’s actions and push for their own EU referendums in order to win concessions from Brussels.

He said: “I know, in fact, that some politicians in Europe are ready to use this political model, to underline that they are really independent towards Brussels and the EU.

“It is the most popular political melody in some capitals.” END FOR HAMMOND? Chancellor to face Tory REBELLION over Autumn Budget Joseph Stiglitz warns Nicola Sturgeon AGAINST citizens income Sinn Fein blasted for using Catalonia referendum to demand united Ireland vote MPs call for tougher sentences for attacks committed against emergency service workers