Secretary General of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Lamberto Zannier has warned of an "aggressive nationalism" in Europe brought about by confrontations and conflicts, a media report said Monday.
In an interview with the Austria Press Agency Monday, Zannier put particular emphasis on the current crisis between Russia and Ukraine, though said an increase in nationalism is also visible in Western Europe, particularly in the form of intolerance in multi-ethnic societies, Xinhua reported.
Regarding the current conflict in eastern Ukraine, Zannier said the issue is currently of "top priority" for his organisation, and said the planned meeting of leaders from Ukraine and Russia Tuesday is a "step forward".
He added that it is important to solve the crisis on a political level, including establishment of a ceasefire, and that it is "difficult to see a military solution" to the conflict, given it would affect civilians and result in refugees.
When asked whether the OSCE is powerful enough to solve the current issues, Zannier said his organisation could open up a debate on this issue, but it remained a gentle security organisation and could not force countries into doing things.