Group of 7 foreign ministers on Monday issued a statement calling on Russia to “end its challenges” on the Ukraine-Russia border.
The foreign ministers – from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States and the high representative of the European Union – said they were “deeply concerned about the ongoing deployment of Russian military forces on Ukraine’s borders and in Illegally annexed Crimea. “
Ministers say Russia’s actions are “destabilizing activities”
“We call on Russia to end the challenges and immediately disqualify tensions in accordance with its international obligations,” the statement said. “In particular, we call on Russia to respect the OSCE principles and commitments it has signed on the transparency of military movements and to respond to the procedure set out in Chapter III of the Vienna Document.”
“We underline our strong appreciation and continued support for the efforts of France and Germany through the Normandy Process to ensure the full implementation of the Minsk agreements, which is the only way forward for a lasting political solution to the conflict,” the ministers continued. “We call on all parties to engage constructively in the Trilateral Contact Group on OSCE proposals to confirm and strengthen the ceasefire.”
Last week, the US Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) reported that Russia had not taken part in talks to reduce border violence, as requested by Ukraine.
Reports indicated that there were more troops in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine than during the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
State Secretary Anthony Blink
Antony BlinkenG-7 urges Russia to stop “challenges” over Ukraine Blinken announces appointment of first diversity chief officer at Blinken State Department, NATO chief discusses “immediate need” for Russia to stop “aggressive” military accumulation MORE spoke with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday, where they discussed Russia’s growing aggression.
“Secretary Blinken and Secretary-General Stoltenberg have discussed a number of issues, including the immediate need for Russia to end aggressive military build-up along Ukraine’s borders and in occupied Crimea,” the State Department said in a statement.
Blinken is set to join his fellow defense secretary Lloyd Austin
Lloyd Austin Overnight Defense: Biden nominates first woman army secretary Israel gets tough with Iran amid nuclear talks | Army top soldier “very proud” of police-sprayed pepper officer Israel gets tough with Iran as Biden signals Trump’s move to Biden to nominate first woman army secretary at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium for talks on Russia, as well as Iran and Afghanistan.
It was announced last week that the United States would send two warships to the Black Sea in response to Russia’s military buildup. The ships will remain in the Black Sea until May 4, according to Turkey’s foreign ministry.