The group of 7 foreign ministers on Monday has issued a statement To call on Russia to “cease its provocations” at the Ukraine-Russia border.
Foreign ministers – from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States and the High Representative of the European Union – stated that they are “deeply concerned about the great ongoing build-up of Russian armed forces. on the borders of Ukraine and in the illegally annexed Crimea. “
Ministers said Russia’s actions represent “destabilizing activities.”
“We call on Russia to cease its provocations and immediately ease tensions in line with its international obligations,” the statement read. “In particular, we call on Russia to uphold the OSCE principles and obligations it has signed on on transparency of military movements and to respond to the procedure set out in Chapter III of the Vienna document.”
“We underscore our deep appreciation and continued support for the efforts of France and Germany through the Normandy Process to ensure the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements, which is the only way forward to a lasting political solution to the conflict,” continued. the ministers. “We call on all parties to participate constructively in the Trilateral Contact Group on the OSCE’s proposals to confirm and consolidate the ceasefire.”
Last week, the US mission reported to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) that Russia was not present at the talks to reduce violence at the border, which Ukraine has called for.
Reports indicate that there are more troops in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine than during the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Secretary of State Antony Blink
Antony BlinkenBlinken returns to Brussels to talk about tensions in Russia, Ukraine Blinken warns it would be a ‘grave mistake’ to change Taiwan’s status’ by force ” Blinken: China ‘didn’t do what it was supposed to do’ in the early stages of pandemic MORE spoke with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday, where they discussed Russia’s growing aggression.
“Secretary Blinken and Secretary General Stoltenberg discussed a range of issues, including the immediate need for Russia to halt its aggressive military build-up along the borders of Ukraine and in occupied Crimea,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Blinken will join his fellow Defense cabinet member Lloyd Austin
Lloyd Austin Pentagon pushes for successful vaccine rollout despite spotty data Blinken returns to Brussels to discuss tensions in Russia and Ukraine Defense minister has ‘ironclad’ commitment to Israel on trip to Tel Aviv MORE at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium for discussions on Russia, Iran and Afghanistan.
Last week, it was announced that the US would be sending two warships to the Black Sea in response to Russia’s military build-up. According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ships will remain in the Black Sea until May 4.