Madrid November 12 (Europe Press) –
Speaking from Canada’s Niagara region on Wednesday, G7 foreign ministers stressed the “urgent need” for an “immediate” ceasefire in Ukraine, as questions remain over Russia’s involvement in negotiations to end the conflict.
“We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine in its territorial integrity and right to exist, and in the defense of its freedom, sovereignty and independence. We reiterate the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire,” the joint statement said.
In this sense, both countries agreed that “the current lines of contact must be the starting point for negotiations,” while recalling their “commitment to the principle that national borders should not be changed by force.”
They are therefore putting economic pressure on Russia and have vowed to “explore measures against countries and entities contributing to the financing of the war.” They also denounced military aid from North Korea and Iran, and the supply of arms and parts by China.
Finally, they “acknowledged that there are ongoing discussions about various financing options” in relation to the blocked Russian assets, and used the opportunity to condemn recent Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.