The Russian Foreign Minister has warned that 'the nightmare scenario' of military conflicts in Europe is returning as tensions continue to escalate over the situation in Ukraine.
Addressing the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) today, Sergei Lavrov said that tensions are continuing to rise on the continent - which could result in war.
In his speech Lavrov also said he hoped that Russia's proposals on a new European security pact would be carefully considered.
'The architecture of strategic stability is rapidly being destroyed, NATO refuses to constructively examine our proposals to de-escalate tensions and avoid dangerous incidents,' Lavrov said.
'On the contrary, the alliance's military infrastructure is drawing closer to Russia's borders. The nightmare scenario of military confrontation is returning.'
It comes as the Kremlin today said that Kiev's desire to retake Crimea - which Moscow seized in 2014 - is a 'direct threat' and has ordered Russian troops to remain on 'combat readiness' amid speculation of an invasion of Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov today said that Moscow is worried about the possibility of a Ukrainian military move in eastern Ukraine, despite reports that Russia has deployed close to 100,000 troops near the border in recent weeks.
Moscow has insisted it has no intention to invade and accused Ukraine and its Western backers of making up the claims to cover up their own allegedly aggressive designs.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had said on Wednesday that Crimea was Ukrainian territory and Kiev's goal was to 'liberate' it.
He focused however on diplomatic solutions and made no mention of taking the peninsula by force.
'Speaking in parliament, Zelensky said that the return of Crimea should be the main goal and philosophy of Ukraine,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters this morning.
'We see this as a direct threat to Russia. Such wording of course means that the Kiev regime intends to use all available means - including force - in order to encroach on a Russian region. This is how we are leaning towards perceiving it.'
Troops have been instructed by Defence Minister and Army General Sergei Shoigu to stay on alert at their posts on two weekends covering both 18 and 25 December.
It comes as top Russian and US diplomats meet in Stockholm, Sweden, today to hold talks over the build-up of Russian military on the Ukrainian border.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin today said that an invasion of Ukraine would be met with a response from 'the international community', while US secretary of state Anthony Blinken warned of 'high-impact sanctions'.
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