The G7 calls on Russia to end its ‘provocations’ and ‘de-escalate tensions’ with Ukraine

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Ministers issued a joint call the day before NATO meeting in Brussels over concerns about a possible sharp escalation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

The G7 foreign ministers, most of whom are members of NATO, “are deeply concerned about the ongoing large-scale concentration of Russian military forces on Ukraine’s borders and in illegally annexed Crimea,” the ministerial statement said.

“These large-scale unannounced relocations are a threatening and destabilizing act,” ministers added.

“We call on Russia to end the provocations and immediately de-escalate tensions in line with its international obligations.”

G7, which merged ASV, In France, Italy, Japan, Canada Great Britain and Germany, also called on Russia to support the international “principles and commitments to which it is committed with regard to the transparency of the movement of armed forces”.

“We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders. We support Ukraine’s position of restraint.”

Ukraine has accused Russia of concentrating thousands of troops on Ukraine’s northern and eastern borders, as well as of Russia’s annexation. Crimea peninsula.

The Kremlin does not deny the transfer of its troops, but insists that it has no intention of endangering anyone.

The White House announced this week that the number of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border is now the highest since 2014, when the annexation of the Crimean peninsula by Russia led to an armed conflict in eastern Ukraine. 13,000 people have lost their lives in the conflict and almost three million have fled.

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