G7 Condemns Russia Over Ukraine

Seven of the eight powerful governments that make up the G8 bloc denounced member nation Russia on Monday for its actions in Ukraine and froze preparations for a June summit due to be hosted by the Russian city of Sochi. Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Council and the European Commission all signed a joint statement that criticized Russia’s “clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.” Russian troops in unmarked uniforms have been taking control of strategic sites across Ukraine’s southern peninsula of Crimea since Thursday, and the Russian parliament approved a request from President Vladimir Putin to move troops into Ukraine on Saturday. “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,” the G7 statement said. “We note that Russia’s actions in Ukraine also contravene the principles and values on which the G7 and the G8 operate.”

http://en.ria.ru/russia/20140303/188040420/G7-Condemns-Russia-Over-Ukraine.html