Ukraine's troubles are damaging international efforts to bring about peace in Syria.

That's according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres, who says there's a chance of huge disaster if attention is diverted from the Syrian conflict.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) ANTONIO GUTERRES, U.N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, SAYING:

"In the moment in which we would need the most relevant countries in the world to be able to come together to narrow their differences and to try to find a way to move into peace for Syria, the tension around Ukraine would obviously not help."

The crisis in Ukraine has seen tensions rise considerably between the U.S. and its allies and Russia over Moscow's seizure of the Crimea region.

Guterres says he's worried the tensions between Russia and the West could worsen divides already played out at the U.N Security Council over Syria.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) ANTONIO GUTERRES, U.N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, SA