The leaders of the world's top industrialised powers turned on fellow G8
member Russia on Sunday, condemning its "clear" violation of Ukraine's
sovereignty.
Symbolically billing themselves as the "G7," the
leaders said in a statement that Russia's actions were incompatible with
the Group of Eight Nations, which Moscow joined in 1997 and said they
would not take part in preparatory talks for June's G8 summit in Sochi,
Russia.
The statement, signed by the leaders of Britain, Canada,
France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States and the presidents of
the European Council and European Commission, was released by the White
House.
The leaders said they joined together to "condemn the
Russian Federation's clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of Ukraine, in contravention of Russia's obligations under the
UN Charter and its 1997 basing agreement with Ukraine."
"We call
on Russia to address any ongoing security or human rights concerns that
it has with Ukraine through direct negotiations, and/or via
international observation or mediation under the auspices of the UN or
the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe."
The
statement called on all parties to "behave with the greatest extent of
self-restraint and responsibility, and to decrease the tensions."
The
leaders also said that Russia's actions in sending troops into Crimea
contravened the principles on which the G7 and the G8 grouping operates.
"As
such, we have decided for the time being to suspend our participation
in activities associated with the preparation of the scheduled G8 Summit
in Sochi in June, until the environment comes back where the G8 is able
to have meaningful discussion.
"We are united in supporting
Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its right to choose
its own future," the statement said, vowing support for Ukraine's
stability and political and economic well-being.
The statement
also expressed support for the interim government in Kiev's efforts to
negotiate a deal with the International Monetary Fund to stave off an
economic crisis.
Although Russia has been a fully fledged member
of the G8 since it joined in 1997, the G7 grouping continues to convene
when the discussion is limited to economic and financial issues.
A 9-year-old boy in China inserted four sewing needles into his stomach after he scored 99% in his examination.
