G7 foreign ministers reaffirm full support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity – communiqué

This is said in a communiqué following the meeting of the Foreign and Development Ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) in London, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“We recall our statement of 12 April and call on Russia to de-escalate the situation on Ukraine’s borders and in the illegally-annexed Crimea,” the document reads.

The ministers reaffirm their support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders including its territorial waters. They call on Russia to uphold the OSCE principles and commitments it has signed up to on transparency about its military forces and activities, including by addressing the specific concerns and questions raised under Chapter III of the Vienna Document. The diplomats express regret that Russia failed to provide a substantive response and its failure to meet with Ukraine is wholly inconsistent with the letter and spirit of the Vienna Document.

It is critical that Moscow now fully withdraws its forces and takes the necessary steps to help alleviate tensions.

The foreign ministers express their deep concern over Russia’s actions to block access to parts of the Black Sea, including near illegally-annexed Crimea and the Kerch Strait, impeding access to Ukraine’s ports in the Sea of Azov. At the same time, they commend Ukraine’s posture of restraint and diplomatic approach in this context.

The G7 foreign and development ministers underline their continued support for France’s and Germany’s efforts through the Normandy process to secure full implementation of the Minsk agreements, as a diplomatic path for a political solution to the conflict and to lasting peace. They also welcome the OSCE’s role within the Trilateral Contact Group and in this regard call on Russia and the armed formations it backs to recommit to the ceasefire.

The G7 remains fully committed to implementing sanctions, recalling that the duration of international sanctions is linked inter-alia to Russia’s complete implementation of its commitments under the Minsk agreements and to the return of Crimea to Ukraine.

The communiqué unequivocally denounces Russia’s temporary occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol. The ministers welcome in principle Ukraine’s initiative to establish an International Crimean Platform. They condemn violations and abuses of human rights on the peninsula, particularly of Crimean Tatars.

The foreign ministers also support efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s democracy and institutions, and encourage Ukraine to make further progress on the reform agenda, namely on the rule of law, judicial reform, corporate governance, and in combatting corruption to strengthen their democracy, promote economic growth, and fulfil commitments to international donors and partners and to the citizens of Ukraine.

They reiterate their full confidence in the G7 Ambassadors’ Group in Ukraine and acknowledge the role of this group in monitoring and supporting the implementation of reforms.

As reported, the G7 foreign ministers met in London on 3 to 5 May 2021 for their first face-to-face talks in more than two years.

ish