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Ukraine crisis: David Cameron rules out G8 summit in Russia Ukraine crisis: G-7 leaders cancel G-8 Summit in Sochi until 'Russia changes course'
(35 minutes later)
David Cameron has said it is "absolutely clear" the G-8 summit will not take place in Russia as world leaders join forces to isolate Vladimir Putin following the annexation of Crimea. World leaders have agreed to cancel a planned G-8 meeting in Russia to protest the annexation of Crimea.
Speaking at a nuclear security summit in The Hague, the Prime Minister said:"We should be clear there's not going to be a G8 summit in Russia." Instead, the G7- excluding Russia- will meet in Brussels in June in a bid to isolate President Vladimir Putin until "Russia changes course".
"That's absolutely clear. We'll be meeting tonight, the seven other countries of the G8 that are going to determine the way forward. But frankly it is Russia that needs to change course," he added. In a statement, the leaders of the G-7 condemned "Russia’s illegal attempt to annex Crimea" and reiterated their support to maintain Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The UK and other G7 nations have suspended preparations ahead of the G8 summit scheduled to take place in Sochi in June, and hinted Russia could be kicked out if it does not de-escalate tensions in the region. The G7 nations issued the statement following an emergency meeting Monday in The Hague.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov responded by saying the Kremlin "is not clinging" to the G8 format and described it as an "informal club" where "no one gives out membership cards and no one can expel members".Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov responded by saying the Kremlin "is not clinging" to the G8 format and described it as an "informal club" where "no one gives out membership cards and no one can expel members".
Mr Cameron also warned it would be "completely unacceptable" for Russia to go further into the Ukraine and violating the country's sovereignty would trigger more sanctions from "the EU, the US and other countries". Earlier, Prime Minister David Cameron warned it would be "completely unacceptable" for Russia to go further into the Ukraine and violating the country's sovereignty would trigger more sanctions from "the EU, the US and other countries".
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsia said the risk of military invasion remains high and was particularly worried about the deployment of Russian troops on its eastern border.Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsia said the risk of military invasion remains high and was particularly worried about the deployment of Russian troops on its eastern border.
Similarly, Nato's top military commander Philip Breedlove said the Russian army deployed on its border with Ukraine is "very, very sizeable and very, very ready" .Similarly, Nato's top military commander Philip Breedlove said the Russian army deployed on its border with Ukraine is "very, very sizeable and very, very ready" .
He voiced concern that Russia could have Transdniestria in its sights after Crimea, saying that, in Russia's view, the separatist region of Moldova was the "next place where Russian-speaking people may need to be incorporated".He voiced concern that Russia could have Transdniestria in its sights after Crimea, saying that, in Russia's view, the separatist region of Moldova was the "next place where Russian-speaking people may need to be incorporated".
In what has become the worst diplomatic crisis between Russia and the West since the Cold War, the United States and the European Union have imposed sanctions targeting Mr Putin's inner circle, but have so far abstained from issuing measures designed to hit Russia's wider economy.In what has become the worst diplomatic crisis between Russia and the West since the Cold War, the United States and the European Union have imposed sanctions targeting Mr Putin's inner circle, but have so far abstained from issuing measures designed to hit Russia's wider economy.
Over the weekend, Russian forces seized Ukrainian ships and military installations in Crimea, including a naval base near the eastern port of Feodosia, as Moscow seeks to consolidate its control over the peninsula it officially annexed last week following a controversial referendum considered illegal by Kiev and the West.Over the weekend, Russian forces seized Ukrainian ships and military installations in Crimea, including a naval base near the eastern port of Feodosia, as Moscow seeks to consolidate its control over the peninsula it officially annexed last week following a controversial referendum considered illegal by Kiev and the West.