WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and six other nations — condemning Russia’s “clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine” — say they are suspending participation in the planning for an international summit in Russia this summer.
The White House issued the joint statement on behalf of the Group of Seven — the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The nations also participate in the Group of Eight economic group, which includes Russia.
From right, Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, U.S. President Barack Obama and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy attend a media conference regarding EU-US trade at the G-8 summit in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland on Monday, June 17, 2013. (Image source: AP)
In the joint statement, the countries also say Russia’s advances in Ukraine violate the “principles and values” on which the G-7 and G-8 operate.
Russia is scheduled to host the G-8 summit in June in Sochi, site of the recently completed Winter Olympics.
