G7 Leaders Warn Russia of Fresh Sanctions over Ukraine

Local Editor

Leaders of the G7 industrial nations meeting in Brussels said in a joint statement issued on Wednesday that they are prepared to impose further sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine.

"We are united in condemning the Russian Federation's continuing violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," the joint statement stated.
It added, "We stand ready to intensify targeted sanctions and to consider meaningful additional restrictive measures to impose further costs on Russia should events so require."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated "We have made clear that we want to continue with our three-step approach - support Ukraine in economic issues, talks with Russia, and should there no progress on all those issues... the possibility of sanctions, tougher sanctions, remains on the table."

Earlier, UK Prime Minister David Cameron said he expected the G7 to send a clear message of support for Ukraine.

The G7 summit is the first since Russia was expelled from the group following its annexation of Crimea in March.
On Thursday, G7 will discuss several issues including global economic outlook, climate change and development.
Although Russian President Vladimir Putin is not presented at the Brussels summit, he will hold face-to-face talks with some G7 leaders - not including US President Barack Obama - in Paris afterwards.

Meanwhile, both Putin and Obama will attend a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in France on Friday.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team