G7 threatens to sanction countries that provide material support for Russia’s “illegal war”

19 Feb. () –

The Group of Seven (G7) has warned that it will impose sanctions against those countries that provide military support to Russia in the conflict with Ukraine, in a joint statement by the foreign ministers at the Munich Security Conference held this weekend. .

The G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and the High Representative of the European Union have met for the first time under the Japanese presidency in 2023 and have stressed their support to Ukraine.

“The G7 members stand by their commitment to maintain and intensify sanctions on Russia to limit its war effort and on states that provide material support to Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine,” the joint statement said.

In this way, the G7 has urged “third parties” to stop “providing assistance to the Russian army and its affiliated forces, or they would face serious costs.”

The meeting, which also included the participation of the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, condemned the Russian attacks against civilians and the country’s energy infrastructure, and stated that “there should be no impunity for war crimes.”

In addition, the members of the G7 have reaffirmed their position to continue supporting Ukraine, “including providing military and defense assistance,” the statement said.

Regarding the danger of a nuclear catastrophe, the members of the G7 have warned that, after not having used any nuclear weapon for 77 years, “Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric is unacceptable.”

In this context, the G7 have also denounced the seizure and militarization of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant by Moscow and have called for the immediate withdrawal of Russian forces and personnel.