MOSCOW, October 30 (RIA Novosti) - Russia is greatly concerned by the recent surge in violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

Eastern Congo has seen four days of fighting between Congolese rebel leader Laurent Nkunda, who says he is protecting the ethnic Tutsi minority, and government troops. Several people died in clashes on Wednesday night.

The Congolese government has accused neighboring Rwanda of backing the rebels.

"It is now essential to do everything possible to prevent a military escalation in eastern Congo, and to achieve the goal of fulfilling the conditions of the agreement ending the armed struggle," the ministry said in a statement.

A ceasefire signed in January collapsed in August.

Earlier on Thursday, European Commission spokesman John Clancy warned of a "critical humanitarian situation" as tens of thousands of people have been displaced by the fighting.