By Thomas Escritt

VIENNA, Reuters – Europe is closer to war than ever in the past 30 years. This was what Poland’s foreign Minister warned this week during the third round diplomatic talks. The aim of these rounds was to defuse tensions and address Russia’s request that Ukraine be barred from joining NATO.

Zbigniew Rau addressed the OSCE’s 57 members.

Rau declared that it seemed like there is a greater risk of war in this OSCE area than in any other 30 year period. He made the remarks in a speech outlining Japan’s priorities while he holds the rotating OSCE chairmanship.

“For many weeks, we’ve been confronted with the possibility of an important military escalation throughout Eastern Europe.”

Poland ranks among NATO’s most assertive members in its opposition to Russia’s revisionist plans in Eastern Europe.

Rau stated, “We need to focus on a peaceful solution of the conflict in Ukraine”, calling for the “full respect of Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity within its internationally recognized borders.”

Russia has more than 100,000 soldiers near the borders of Ukraine. It is currently fighting Moscow-backed separatists to its east. Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimea in 2014.

Talks in Vienna this Thursday will mark the beginning of Ukraine’s representation at high-ranking ambassadorial levels. There was no progress in the ministerial talks held between Russia (and America) in Geneva Tuesday, and Russia (and NATO) in Brussels Wednesday.

The Kremlin on Thursday gave https://news.trust.org/item/20220113101353-avwze a bleak assessment of Russia’s security talks with the United States and NATO this week, describing them as “unsuccessful” and saying there was disagreement on fundamental issues.