European Union ambassador says Russia-Ukraine crisis has unified the EU and NATO: "For us, this is existential"

European Union Ambassador to the U.S. Stavros Lambrinidis blamed Russia for the tensions with Ukraine, the European Union and the rest of the world, saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions have helped unify western powers. Although the European Union is prepared for a possible Russian invasion of its southern neighbor, the ambassador told CBS News' Major Garrett that the continent is hopeful Putin will not move to war.

"We're in a very tense situation, and this hasn't changed," Lambrinidis told CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett on Wednesday's episode of "Red and Blue." "The Russian troops are still there. Even if they have removed a few, which has not been verified, we're talking about over 100,000 troops."

Lambrinidis said he is still hopeful that the tensions can be dealt with via diplomacy.