G-7 leaders bringing 'severe' coordinated sanctions
The leaders of the G-7 countries -- the U.S., the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan -- condemned Russia's attack in a joint statement, vowing to bring "severe and coordinated economic and financial sanctions."
The statement followed the leaders' Thursday morning meeting.
The group called on the Russians "to immediately de-escalate and to withdraw its forces from Ukraine," adding, "We also condemn the involvement of Belarus in this aggression against Ukraine and call on Belarus to abide by its international obligations."
The G-7 leaders asked the leaders of other nations to also come forwarding condemning the violence.
The leaders said they condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin recognizing the independence of two Russia-backed separatist areas in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region -- the self-proclaimed People’s Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk -- and urged "other states not to follow Russia’s illegal decision to recognise the proclaimed independence of these entities."
"We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and territorial waters as well as the right of any sovereign state to determine its own future and security arrangements," the G-7 leaders said.
They continued: "We condemn President Putin for his consistent refusal to engage in a diplomatic process to address questions pertaining to European security, despite our repeated offers. We stand united with partners, including NATO, the EU and their member states as well as Ukraine and remain determined to do what is necessary to preserve the integrity of the rules-based international order. In this regard, we are also closely monitoring global oil and gas market conditions, including in the context of Russia’s further military aggression against Ukraine. We support consistent and constructive engagement and coordination among major energy producers and consumers toward our collective interest in the stability of global energy supplies, and stand ready to act as needed to address potential disruptions."
