G7 threatens Russia with hard-hitting sanctions

The United States and its allies used the first Group of Seven meeting without Russia in 17 years to condemn its actions in Ukraine and threaten hard-hitting sanctions if President Vladimir Putin does not help restore stability.

Meeting in Brussels rather than the Black Sea resort of Sochi — a snub to Russia which was supposed to have hosted the G8 — Western powers and Japan delivered strong rhetoric, even if the EU’s commitment to further sanctions remains in doubt.

“We are united in condemning the Russian Federation’s continuing violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” the US, Germany, Japan, France, Britain, Italy and Canada said in a statement.