G7 warns Russia about'massive consequences' if Ukraine invades

LIVERPOOL (England) -- Russia was urged by the Group of Seven economic power to "de-escalate its military buildup at the Ukrainian border.

12 December 2021 Sunday 10:57
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G7 warns Russia about'massive consequences' if Ukraine invades

" The warning came as a result of the Group of Seven's concern that an invasion could have "massive implications" and cause Moscow severe economic hardship.

G-7 foreign ministers joined by the European Union's chief of foreign affairs issued a joint statement condemning Russia's aggression towards Ukraine and urging them to "unify in our condemnation."

The G-7 urged Russia to "de-escalate and pursue diplomatic channels" and praised Ukraine for its "restraint."

International law prohibits any use of force to alter borders. Russia should know that any further military aggression against Ukraine will have severe consequences and a high cost response," the statement stated.

Russia's movements of weapons and troops towards the border region dominated weekend discussions among foreign ministers of the G-7 rich democracies in Liverpool.

The U.S., along with its allies, are concerned that Russia's buildup could lead to an invasion and have pledged to impose severe sanctions on Russia's economy.

Moscow denies any plans to attack Ukraine, and Kyiv is accused of having its own aggressive plans.

The conference host Liz Truss, British Foreign Secretary, stated that the G-7 was sending "powerful signals to our adversaries as well as our allies."

Although the statement promised a "common, comprehensive response", it did not provide any details. Truss stated that the G-7 was "considering all possibilities" in relation to economic sanctions.

The U.S. and its allies are avoiding any talk of a military intervention to protect Ukraine. Instead, efforts focus on harsh sanctions that would affect the Russian economy and not just individuals.

On Saturday, U.S. reporters asked President Joe Biden about the possibility that combat troops could be sent to Ukraine. He said that this idea had never been considered. He asked, "Are we ready to send American troops to war and go into Ukraine in order to fight Russians on a battlefield?"

Biden spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin last Wednesday to say that he had made it clear that if there is an invasion, the economic consequences for Putin's economy would be catastrophic. Devastating."

Truss stated that Biden had told Putin that the U.S. position "carries the support from the G-7 countries in general." This should concern Vladimir Putin.

The meeting of top diplomats from the U.K. and other countries was held at the Dockside Museum of Liverpool. They discussed China's aggression in the Indo-Pacific and the Iran nuclear deal.

It has been difficult to get a united response from the G-7, which is a group of countries that have different interests, to global crises.

Germany is planning to get gas from Russia via the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline. This pipeline bypasses Ukraine. Britain, which doesn't depend on Russian gas, tends to take a more aggressive line on the pipeline, but has tricky questions about London’s financial district, and its property market, which are both hubs of Russian money.

The U.K. financial and banking authorities have been long criticised for their alleged indifference to ill-gotten profits.

Truss stated that Britain has "very strict anti-corruption, anti-money laundering rules" but also mentioned that Russian money and Russian gaz came at a high cost.

She stated that "we cannot have short-term economic gain at our expense of long-term freedom and democracy."

G-7 countries are increasingly concerned about China’s increasing economic and technological dominance in developing countries. As an alternative to China's money, the G-7 launched "Build Back Better World", which offers funding to developing countries for large infrastructure projects. The West claims that China is often tied to strings.

Truss also invited Ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to Liverpool's meeting. Truss stated that the G-7 was concerned about China's coercive economic policy.

She stated that the positive agenda she has set is to ensure countries have other sources of investment and trade. "And that we are making sure that we abide -- and ensure that others are adhering to -- the rules-based international system" of trade.

However, a united stance toward China remains difficult to achieve, with the U.S., Britain, and other G-7 members being more hawkish than others.