Key Takeaways:
– G7 foreign ministers reaffirm their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
– They condemn Russia’s aggression and human rights abuses in the annexed regions.
– The G7 reiterates their call for Russia to respect international law and cease its hostilities.
– Financial, military and humanitarian support for Ukraine remains firm.
– G7 states urge the international community to join them in opposing Russia’s actions.
Two years on from Russia’s unlawful annexation of parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions, the foreign ministers of the G7 countries have pronounced their unwavering support for Ukraine. The G7, comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the High Representative of the European Union, condemns Russia’s incursions and stands firmly with Ukraine.
G7 Condemns Russia’s Transgressions
The G7’s statement rejected any violation of international law committed by Russia against Ukraine. It censured, “in the strongest possible terms,” Russia’s unauthorized aggression and human rights abuses in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories. Russian attacks destroying civilian, critical and urban infrastructure were also denounced.
The Group of Seven encouraged all members of the global community to follow suit, calling on Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, to abide by the UN Charter and the fundamental principles that establish the international order.
Unwavering support for Ukraine
As the officers noted, the G7 remains resolute in its political, military, financial, economic and humanitarian support for Ukraine. They recognize the country’s legitimate defense against Russia’s full-scale invasion and asserted their commitment to amplify the costs of Russia’s illegal war.
The confluence of these measures, they believe, will set a conducive terrain for a comprehensive, fair, and lasting peace entrenched in the principles of the UN Charter. The G7 pledged to continue its efforts in galvanizing the broader international community to adhere to this stance. Their ultimate goal is to restore the full respect for a rules-based international order.
Appeal to Russia for Peace
The statement implores Russia to immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw its forces from all Ukrainian territories to their internationally recognized borders. Russia is also urged to relinquish its claims of annexation of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, as well as the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.
Furthermore, the G7 calls upon Russia to respect Ukraine’s sovereign rights as an independent nation. According to the statement, should Russia comply with these demands, the current war of aggression could come to an abrupt end.
Russian Aggression in Ukraine: A Brief History
Russian soldiers donned in unmarked uniforms launched a military invasion of Crimea on February 20, 2014. Their objective was the occupation and annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. This audacious land grab marked the onset of armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which quickly escalated into a full-scale invasion by Russia.
Following Crimea’s occupation, Moscow incited a war in eastern Ukraine, deploying proxy forces on the ground for this purpose. The situation worsened on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a full-blown military incursion into Ukraine, under the construct of a “special military operation.”
As we commemorate the two-year anniversary of the illegal annexations, world leaders remain resolute in their support for Ukraine. It is indeed a clarion call for global solidarity against blatant disregard of international law, as the world closely watches the development of this conflict.