Ukraine, G-7 leaders to Moscow: the annexation of Crimea could have “grave implications”

Leaders asked Russian Federation to cease immediately all the actions supporting the forthcoming referendum: the vote “would have no legal effect; we would not recognize its outcome.” Barroso: “We don’t need new Cold Wars”

From our correspondent in Strasbourg Letizia Pascale

Russian annexation of Crimea could have “grave implications,” not only for Ukrainian stability, but also “for the legal order that protects the unity and sovereignty of all states.” Given that extraordinary meetings and threats of sanction had not obtained any results – Moscow has been gathering its troops across Crimea – now it is time for the G-7. The leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, together with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, have issued a statement to condemn the approach adopted by the Russian Federation. Should the Russian Federation go on with the annexation of Crimea, “we will take further action, individually and collectively.”

G-7 leaders asked Russia “to cease all efforts to change the status of Crimea, contrary to Ukrainian law and in violation of international law,” calling for an “immediate” halt of actions supporting a referendum on the territory of Crimea regarding its status, to be held shortly. The vote, they warn, “would have no legal effect,” as well as “no moral force”, given the lack of adequate preparation and the intimidating presence of Russian troops. For all these reasons, reads the statement, “we would not recognize the outcome.”

Russian annexation of Crimea would be “a clear violation” of the United Nations Charter and of the Treaties between Ukraine and Russia, underlined the G-7 leaders. They called on the Russian Federation “to de-escalate” the conflict, “to withdraw its forces” and “to begin direct discussions with the Government of Ukraine, and avail itself of international mediation and observation offers to address any legitimate concerns it may have.” The statement ended with a remainder for the Russian Federation of the decision to suspend participation in any activities related to preparation of a G-8 Sochi meeting until it changes course and the environment comes back to where the G-8 is able to have “a meaningful discussion.”

Earlier in the morning, President Barroso made an introductory statement dealing with the situation in Ukraine at the Plenary Meeting of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The events in Crimea are “in a way, a test of the Union, and the outcome of the current situation will greatly impact in the geopolitical configuration of our continent for the years to come.” As he underlined, “we don’t need new Cold Wars, and we certainly do not want them.” MEPs were told “Our relationship with our Eastern partners does not have to be an exclusive one: we are not asking [to our partners] to turn their backs on Russia.” Yet, Moscow “needs to accept fully the right of these countries to decide their own future” and the nature of relations they chose to have with other countries.

In Barroso’s words, what happened in Crimea was “an unprovoked and unacceptable violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and its territorial integrity” and “any attempt to legitimise a referendum in Crimea is contrary to the Ukrainian constitution and international law and quite clearly illegal.”

Dealing with financial aid, President Barroso added that on 19 March the Commission would propose macro financial assistance of an additional €1 billion.