The G7 Foreign Ministers have announced they stand ready to step up economic sanctions against Russia if the conflict in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, escalates.
"We recall that the duration of Donbas-related economic sanctions is clearly linked to Russia's complete and irreversible implementation 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 G7 Foreign Ministers said in a joint communiqué following the meetings in Toronto, Canada, on April 22-23, 2018.
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"We are convinced that the only way a sustainable solution to the conflict can be reached is through the full implementation of the Minsk agreements. Given Russia's responsibility in the conflict, we urge Russia to stabilize the security situation in the Donbas without delay," the ministers said.
They also expressed support for the efforts within the Normandy format and of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe for a solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
In addition, they reiterated support for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"We reiterate our enduring support for Ukrainian sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. This includes our non-recognition of Russia's violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We decry the degraded human rights situation in the peninsula, and the violations and abuses committed against its population by Russia in Crimea," the communiqué said.
