G7 calls for more military aid to Ukraine, sanctions against Russia
(Update: adds info from G7 statement)
Brussels, Apr 7 (EFE).- G7 foreign ministers reiterated on Thursday their “unwavering” support for Ukraine while urging for more military assistance and tougher sanctions against Russia over the “atrocities” it has committed during the war.
“The G7 underlined its unwavering support for Ukraine. Now what is important: more sanctions, more military assistance, more financial assistance and humanitarian aid,” the 2022 German Presidency of the G7 tweeted.
In a joint statement following the meeting, the G7 condemned “in the strongest terms the atrocities committed by the Russian armed forces in Bucha and a number of other Ukrainian towns” in the wake of the “haunting images” that have emerged in recent days.
The G7 pledged to prosecute those responsible for the alleged war crimes, and called for Russia to be suspended from the United Nations’ Human Rights Council.
The leaders were meeting in Brussels for Nato and G7 summits which Ukrainian foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, also attended.
“My agenda is very simple, it has only three items on it. It’s weapons, weapons and weapons,” Kuleba told reporters in Brussels.
“We are confident that the best way to help Ukraine now is to provide it with all necessary to contain Putin and to defeat the Russian army in Ukraine,” he added.
German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, who hosted the meeting, said it was important that the G7 stood united with Ukraine in the face of alleged war crimes witnessed in recent days.
“We respond to the inhumanity of Bucha and Mariupol with joint humanity,” she said.
Baerbock said the European Union is set to approve on Thursday a new package of sanctions following the United Kingdom and United States announcement of new sanctions against Russia.
“The important thing is to continue putting pressure on Russia and continue supporting Ukraine,” EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, told reporters in Brussels. EFE
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