G-7 to Impose "Severe" Extra Sanctions on Russia

Berlin, Feb. 24 (Jiji Press)--Leaders of the Group of Seven major powers Thursday agreed to impose "severe" additional sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine that began the same day. "We as the G-7 are bringing forward severe and coordinated economic and financial sanctions," the G-7 leaders said in a joint statement released after an online meeting. "We call on all partners and members of the international community to condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms," the statement also said. The G-7 leaders said Russia's "unprovoked and completely unjustified" attack on Ukraine is "a serious threat to the rules-based international order, with ramifications well beyond Europe." While urging Russia to immediately stop the attack, the leaders said their countries are "united in our support for the people of Ukraine." The G-7 members "stand ready to act as needed to address potential disruptions" to global energy supplies, the statement also said. Earlier on Thursday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that the G-7, a forum of the world's most powerful democratic economies, will unite to take clear action. The G-7 members will decide their carefully prepared extra sanctions in cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union, he also said. Germany holds the rotating G-7 presidency. At the online meeting, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Russia's military actions in Ukraine "shake the foundation of international order." He promised to add sanctions against Russia, such as financial and export controls, in cooperation with other countries. Japan, the United States and European countries announced the first round of sanctions against Russia after Moscow on Monday recognized the independence of two eastern Ukrainian regions controlled by pro-Russian armed separatists. Russia started invading Ukraine despite the sanctions. This made it necessary for Japan, the United States and European countries to take additional punitive measures. END