G7 reaffirms 'unwavering support' for Ukraine, warns Russia of sanctions

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - Foreign ministers from the G7 reached a joint statement on Friday, backing Ukraine's territorial integrity and threatening Russia with new sanctions if it does not follow a ceasefire.

The foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US as well as EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas met in Quebec's Charlevoix on March 12-14.

"We reaffirmed our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty and independence," they said in the joint statement.

The top diplomats welcomed ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire, and in particular the meeting on March 11 between the US and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia.

Applauding Ukraine's commitment to an immediate ceasefire, the ministers called for Russia to reciprocate by agreeing to a ceasefire on equal terms and implementing it fully.

"We discussed imposing further costs on Russia in case such a ceasefire is not agreed, including through further sanctions, caps on oil prices, as well as additional support for Ukraine, and other means. This includes the use of extraordinary revenues stemming from immobilized Russian Sovereign Assets," according to the statement.