G7 sent “very clear united message to Putin” on Ukraine, says Truss


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The West and its allies are “united” in threatening “massive consequences” for any Russian invasion of neighboring Ukraine, the foreign minister said.

Liz Truss, speaking to reporters at a press conference, also targeted Iran and China after meeting in Liverpool with her counterparts at the two-day G7 summit of foreign ministers from leading democratic nations.

Ms Truss said: “We have sent a powerful signal to our adversaries and to our allies.

“We have been clear that any Russian incursion into Ukraine would have massive consequences for which there would be a significant cost.

“We have also shown that we defend freedom and democracy and the rights of people around the world to live free from oppression.

“We must advocate for individual humanity and dignity, which are at the heart of our free and democratic societies. “

Russia has already annexed Crimea, part of Ukraine, and tension is mounting again, with Russia massing thousands of troops on the border with its neighbor.

The Foreign Minister said: “We have sent a very clear united message to Vladimir Putin from this G7 meeting.

“And we are very clear that there will be serious consequences if this incursion took place.

“It’s about dissuading Russia from taking this.”

In a statement released on Sunday by G7 ministers, they reminded Moscow that “any use of force to change borders is strictly prohibited by international law”, pledging to inflict “a high cost” on Russia if it was mobilizing against Kiev.

At the press conference, Ms Truss was also asked about the “billions” of Russian money flowing into London.

She said: “We already have very strict anti-corruption and anti-money laundering rules in the UK.

“But let’s be clear, when the UK wanted to send clear messages and achieve clear targets, we were prepared to use economic sanctions. We are therefore considering all options.

Regarding China, where tension is mounting with the United States over Taiwan, Ms. Truss said the G7 was concerned about “coercive economic policies” across the world.

She said the West and its allies wanted to invest in “like-minded, freedom-loving democracies.”

Ms Truss also said Iran must resolve the international dispute over its nuclear power program under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which limited its ability to manufacture military-grade nuclear material.

She added: “This is the last chance for Iran to come to the negotiating table with a serious resolution of this issue, which must be in accordance with the terms of the JCPOA.

“This is the last choice and it is vital that they do so, we will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.”

“And it is vital that they come to the table and take the negotiations seriously.”

The G7 summit ends on Sunday.

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