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Ukraine crisis: G-7 leaders cancel G-8 Summit in Sochi until 'Russia changes course' Ukraine crisis: G-7 leaders cancel G-8 Summit in Sochi until 'Russia changes course'
(35 minutes later)
World leaders have agreed to cancel a planned G-8 meeting in Russia to protest the annexation of Crimea. World leaders of the G-7 have agreed to cancel a planned G-8 meeting in Russia to protest the annexation of Crimea.
Instead, the G7- excluding Russia- will meet in Brussels in June in a bid to isolate President Vladimir Putin until "Russia changes course". Instead, the G7- excluding Russia- will meet in Brussels in June as the West moves to isolate President Vladimir Putin until "Russia changes course".
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. In a statement, the leaders of the G-7 condemned "Russia's illegal attempt to annex Crimea" and reiterated their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The G7 nations issued the statement following an emergency meeting Monday in The Hague. The group said Russian aggression will have "significant consequences" and vowed to "intensify actions" against Russia's wider economy unless Moscow de-escalates tensions in the region.
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". They said: "We condemn the illegal referendum held in Crimea in violation of Ukraine's constitution. We also strongly condemn Russia's illegal attempt to annex Crimea in contravention of international law and specific international obligations. We do not recognise either."
They added: "We remain ready to intensify actions including coordinated sectoral sanctions that will have an increasingly significant impact on the Russian economy, if Russia continues to escalate this situation."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said 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".
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".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.
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.