BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – The G7 foreign ministers have threatened Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold him accountable for the war of aggression against Ukraine. “Russia will be held responsible for all damage that its military aggression inflicts on Ukraine and its people, as well as international organizations and their property,” said a statement by the G7 group of leading democratic economic powers distributed by the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin after consultations from Sunday.
In addition to the USA and Germany, the group also includes Great Britain, France, Italy, Canada and Japan. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) is currently in the chair. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, also took part in the conference. The group agreed that “this blatant violation of the basic principles of world peace and international security and the violation of mandatory norms of international law must not go unanswered”.
The G7 ministers pointed to the massive sanctions against Russia and Belarus and announced further steps should Moscow not end its war of aggression against Ukraine.
At the same time, other powerful measures to support Ukraine and its people were discussed, including security and cyber aid and support in combating disinformation. The group has committed to increasing its humanitarian assistance in line with evolving needs. Humanitarian personnel must be granted faster, safer and unhindered access. In addition, these personnel and the internally displaced persons must be protected throughout the country.
The ministers underlined that no status changes would be recognized as a result of Russian aggression. They will coordinate closely “to ensure broad and strong international condemnation of Russia’s unjustifiable behavior.” The panel called on all member states of the United Nations to take a clear stance against Russia’s aggression and to condemn its actions, particularly in the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council./bk/DP/he
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