French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has told French television that: "We fear a war and we don't want one."

Questioned about a statement by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that Russia was not afraid of a new Cold War, Mr Kouchner said, "If it's only cold, that's not a problem."

"If it's hot, we don't want it."

In an interview with French LCI television, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev earlier said that Europe would be responsible for any deterioration in relations with Moscow.

"If they want relations to worsen, they will get it," Mr Medvedev had said.

"We will do everything we can to avoid" a new Cold War, the President added.

"In this situation, the ball is in the Europeans' court."

Mr Kouchner also said Russian troops were about to "ethnically cleanse" the South Ossetia town of Akhalgori, which is also populated by ethnic Georgians.

"This is not acceptable," he said.

The European Union and the United States earlier heavily criticised Russia's recognition of the rebel Georgian provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states.