Slovenia does not approve Russia's policy towards Ukraine, presidential office said in a press release on Tuesday when high-ranking officials of Russia and the United States are visiting the country.

The official statement was made public soon after President Borut Pahor had separate meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. General Philip Mark Breedlove, NATO'S supreme commander in Europe.

Although Slovenia considers Russia a friend, Pahor expressed disapproval of its policy, which amounts to tense relations between Russia and the EU, the press release said.

A peaceful solution for Ukraine crisis must be found, and this peaceful solution would also be beneficial in the much-needed unanimous resolution of other crisis situations by the international community, the press release said.

Slovenian Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec also had talks with Lavrov, focusing on, among others, the South Stream gas pipeline project and the Ukraine crisis.

South Stream is a planned gas pipeline to transport Russian natural gas through the Black Sea to Bulgaria and through Serbia, Hungary and Slovenia further to Austria.

Breedlove, who is traveling here at the invitation of Chief of the Slovenian General Staff, Major General Dobran Bozic, told reporters that the crisis in Ukraine could be the most vital moment for Europe after the end of Cold War.

He expressed hope that Lavrov's visit to Slovenia would be beneficial for tackling "common challenges."