G-7 Statement Deplores Russia's Escalation, Nuclear Rhetoric

Group of Seven leaders this week issued a joint statement condemning Russia's "escalatory steps" in Ukraine and the country's "irresponsible nuclear rhetoric."

The G-7, which includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday, "against the backdrop of the most recent missile attacks against civilian infrastructure and cities across Ukraine, leading to the death of innocent civilians," according to the statement.

"We condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms and recall that indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilian populations constitute a war crime," the G-7 leaders said. "We will hold [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and those responsible to account."

They also said they "firmly condemn and unequivocally reject" Russia's "illegal" attempts to annex parts of Ukraine. "We solemnly reiterate that we will never recognise this illegal annexation or the sham referenda that Russia uses to justify it."

In another section, the G-7 leaders "deplore deliberate Russian escalatory steps, including the partial mobilisation of reservists and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, which is putting global peace and security at risk. We reaffirm that any use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons by Russia would be met with severe consequences."

The statement also condemned Russia's recent actions at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the "deliberate damage to the Nordstream pipelines" running through the Baltic Sea.

The G-7 leaders also reaffirmed their "full support to Ukraine's independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty in its internationally recognised borders," and noted that they "are undeterred and steadfast in our commitment to providing the support Ukraine needs to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity" and "will continue to provide financial, humanitarian, military, diplomatic and legal support and will stand firmly with Ukraine for as long as it takes."

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