jpnn.com, VIENNA - Europe now faces the greatest risk of war in the last 30 years, said Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau.
Rau warned of such a possibility in front of representatives of the 57 member states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), who attended the third round of diplomacy in Vienna, Austria, this week.
ALSO SEE: Kazakhstan Update: Russia Sends Help, President's House Burned
The meeting was held to ease tensions sparked by Russia's demand that Ukraine not be allowed to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Rau did not mention Russia in his speech but described a number of conflicts that had been alleged to have involved Moscow.
ALSO SEE: China Ready to Help Kazakhstan Fight Protesters
"It seems that the risk of war in the OSCE area is now greater than ever before in the last 30 years," said Rau, who also explained his country's priorities as chairman of the OSCE this year.
"For several weeks, we have been faced with the prospect of a major military escalation in Eastern Europe," he added.
ALSO SEE: Kazakh Leader Allows Killing Without Warning Against Protesters
Poland is one of NATO's most vehemently opposed to what they call Russia's revisionist ambitions in Eastern Europe.
"We should focus on a peaceful resolution of the conflict in and around Ukraine," Rau said.
He called for full respect for Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity within internationally recognized boundaries.
Russia has deployed more than 100,000 troops near the border with Ukraine, which is already battling Moscow-backed separatists in its east.
The meeting in Vienna on Thursday would be the first of the week. Ukraine would be represented by an ambassador-level envoy.
Ministerial talks between Russia and the United States in Geneva on Tuesday, as well as between Russia and NATO in Brussels on Wednesday, failed to produce a clear agreement. (ant/dil/mcr20/jpnn)
This news has been broadcast on JPNN.com with the title: Rusia Makin Nekat, Eropa di Ambang Perang Besar?