Obama says Europe will be ‘bloodbath’ if EU breaks up

BARACK Obama has said the increase of nationalism within the European Union could result in a "bloodbath" as he continues to lecture the continent's political big wigs despite being ridiculed for his Brexit interjections

The US President warned against "the rise of crude nationalism" and hinted the break-up of the EU could spark another world war.

As anti-Obama rioters demonstrated outside, Mr Obama grandstanded in Athens on the first leg of his farewell tour of Europe.

He told his captive audience: "We know what happens when Europeans start dividing themselves up…the 20th century was a bloodbath.

"We are going to have to guard against a rise of crude nationalism or ethnic identity or tribalism being built around an ‘us’ and a ‘them’."

Mr Obama claimed the Brexit vote and Donald Trump's election were a result of "stress" within the general population but said that does not mean the public made the right decision.

He said: "Sometimes people in situations of stress just opt for changes and feel as if they want to shake things up even if they are not confident what that will bring."

But he warned not to draw parallels between the Brexit victory and Mr Trump's election.

He added: "Theresa May is a traditional



conservative, unlike Le Pen in France and Donald Trump. Situations in each country are different, but history does not move in a straight line. 

"And I will never apologise for saying that the future of humanity is going to be defined by what we have in common, [not] those things that separate us and ultimately lead us into conflict.

"The more aggressively and effectively we deal with economic dislocation and inequality, the less likely these fears will channel into counterproductive approaches that can pit people against each other."

But the soon-to-be retired American President remained tight-lipped about his country's future under President-elect Trump.

He said: "Time will tell. That’s all going to be an interesting test. And we’ll see whether these facts affect calculations in next elections."

Mr Obama tried to allay fears of Baltic nations that Mr Trump would remove America from NATO, potentially opening the door to a Russian invasion of Eastern Europe.

Mr trump had said he wanted to see other NATO members "paying their way" and questioned the use of the international security arrangement.

But Mr Obama promised the Brussels bloc's members that America would stand firm on promises its made to European nations.