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G7 Mull New Sanctions on Russia

The G-7 countries are ready to slam new sanctions on Russia, if Moscow’s actions require this, reads the communique issued after the meeting of the G7 foreign ministers – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, and a EU representative.

Foreign ministers stressed that the duration of economic sanctions connected with the Donbas directly depends on the fulfillment of the terms of the Minsk agreements. “These sanctions can be rolled back only if Russia truly fulfills its commitments, but we also stand ready to take further restrictive measures should Russia’s actions so require,” the document says.

The meeting in Toronto was the first G7 event to which a Ukrainian representative, Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin, was invited. Ukraine was one of the central topics on the agenda. G7 top diplomats declared “enduring support for Ukrainian sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders”, as well as on the non-recognition of Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” by Russia. In addition, the ministers decried the “degraded situation with human rights” in Crimea.

The authors of the communique urged Russia to abandon the model of “irresponsible and destabilizing behavior,” including “interference in countries’ democratic systems.” Such a behavior has a very negative impact on the prospects for constructive cooperation, the statement warned.

In the previous day, the G7 ministers announced the extension of sanctions against Russia because of the situation in Ukraine. “The sanctions that were imposed against Russia after its unacceptable actions in Ukraine will be continued,” the statement said.

Meetings of foreign ministers predetermine the agenda of the G7 summits. This year, the meeting of the leaders of the Group of Seven will be held on June 8-9 in the Canadian city of Malbe, Quebec.




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