Without financial support from the international community, Russia could be dragged back into the "old era", the former Polish president and Solidarity leader, Mr Lech Walesa, has told a conference in Dublin.
Calling for a new Marshall Plan for former Soviet countries, Mr Walesa warned, "the real troubles of Russia are only starting".
Western countries had chosen to invest only in profitable sectors, instead of backing reforms.
He was speaking yesterday at the State of the World Forum, a six-day conference of international business leaders which continues in Belfast today.
"The struggle in the Balkans is rooted in the old era and belongs to the old era. But if we do not come up with a proper solution quickly we will have other conflicts after the Balkans," Mr Walesa warned.
He said a ground force was necessary to police any agreement which would settle the conflict. However, it might be better to use troops from another region such as Africa.
Earlier, the former Taoiseach, Dr Garret FitzGerald, said the European Union could benefit greatly from enlargement to the east, with its appreciation of shared responsibilities.
