Washington – G-7 leaders Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States and the President of the European Council and President of the European Commission say they condemn Russia's clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and suspend participation in preparations for the Sochi G-8 Summit scheduled for June 2014.
“We note that Russia’s actions in Ukraine also contravene the principles and values on which the G-7 and the G-8 operate. As such, we have decided for the time being to suspend our participation in activities associated with the preparation of the scheduled G-8 Summit in Sochi in June, until the environment comes back where the G-8 is able to have meaningful discussion,” the G-7 leaders said in a statement posted on the White House’s official Web site on March 2.
“We call on Russia to address any ongoing security or human rights concerns that it has with Ukraine through direct negotiations, and/or via international observation or mediation under the auspices of the UN or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. We stand ready to assist with these efforts,” the statement reads.
The G-7 leaders also call on all parties concerned to behave with the greatest extent of self-restraint and responsibility, and to decrease the tensions.
“We will support Ukraine’s work with the International Monetary Fund to negotiate a new program and to implement needed reforms. IMF support will be critical in unlocking additional assistance from the World Bank, other international financial institutions, the EU, and bilateral sources,” the statement reads.
