Any use of weapons of mass destruction by Russia to be met with severe consequences – G7 statement

The relevant joint statement was made by the G7 Foreign Ministers after a two-day meeting on Friday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric is unacceptable. Any use of chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons by Russia would be met with severe consequences,” the document reads.

The G7 Foreign Ministers also rejected Russia’s false claims that Ukraine was preparing a radiological “dirty bomb”.

“The inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that these allegations are baseless, and we commend Ukraine for its transparency,” the G7 Foreign Ministers noted.

Additionally, the G7 Foreign Ministers condemned Russia’s continued seizure and militarization of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), the abduction and reported abuse of Ukrainian personnel, and the willful destabilization of its operations. They expressed support for the IAEA’s efforts to establish a Safety and Security Zone.

“We will continue to impose economic costs on Russia and on other countries, individuals or entities providing military support for Moscow’s war of aggression, as several of us have already done regarding Iran’s provision of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) to Russia,” the G7 Foreign Ministers emphasized.

In addition, the G7 Foreign Ministers called on Belarus to stop enabling Russia’s war of aggression, including permitting Russia’s armed forces to use Belarusian territory to launch missiles targeting Ukraine.

“If the Belarusian authorities more directly involve Belarus in Russia’s war, the G7 will impose overwhelming additional costs on the regime,” the statement reads.

The G7 Foreign Ministers also reiterated their unwavering commitment to continue providing the financial, humanitarian, defense, political, technical, and legal support Ukraine needs to alleviate the suffering of its people and to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

“We salute the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of Russia’s unprovoked aggression, and we are committed to helping Ukraine meet its winter preparedness needs,” the G7 Foreign Ministers added.

A reminder that the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting took place in Germany’s Münster on November 3-4, 2022.

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