G7 declares 'unwavering support' for Ukraine

International Desk: Foreign ministers from the world's seven biggest economies, known as the Group of Seven or G7, have condemned Russia's actions in Kerch Strait as they reaffirmed their "unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity".

A statement by G7 members - the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the High Representative of the European Union - on Friday said there was "no justification" for Russia's use of military force against Ukrainian ships and naval personnel.

"We urge restraint, due respect for international law, and the prevention of any further escalation. We call on Russia to release the detained crew and vessels and refrain from impeding lawful passage through the Kerch Strait," the statement read.

"We, the G7, once again reiterate that ‎we do not, and will never, recognise Russia's illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula, and we reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.‎"

Olexiy Makeyev, political director at Ukraine's foreign ministry, told Al Jazeera that Ukraine was defending itself "from the Russian aggression".

"We count on the support of our American partners and we enjoy a full support also by the European Union," he said.

The G7 statement came a day after US President Donald Trump cancelled his meeting with Russia's Vladimir Putin, saying the much-anticipated talks at the G20 could not take place while Ukrainian sailors were still in captivity.

Russia on Sunday blocked three Ukrainian military vessels from passing through the Kerch Strait on their way from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov - the shared internal waters of both countries.

The confrontation escalated after Russia seized the three vessels and captured 24 Ukrainian crew members, who were later put under a 60-day pre-trial detention and sent to Moscow. Ukraine said the detainees were Russia's "prisoners of war".

Russia insists the Ukrainian sailors crossed into Russian waters illegally, with Putin saying the border guards "fulfilled their military duty" in seizing the ships.
As the threat of a "total war" grew, Kiev introduced martial law in 10 of its 27 regions for 30 days "to avoid an all-out Russian invasion".

Source: Agencies


risingbd/Dec 1, 2018/Mukul