G-7 raps Russia’s nuclear rhetoric

Berlin, Sept. 22 (Jiji Press) — Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven major powers criticized Russia’s nuclear rhetoric at a meeting in New York on Wednesday, according to a statement released Thursday.

G-7 ministers “deplored Russia’s deliberate escalation, including partial mobilization of reservists and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric,” said the statement from Germany, which chaired the meeting.

The G-7, which also includes Britain, Canada, France, Italy, Japan and the United States as well as the European Union, agreed to “pursue further targeted sanctions and committed to maintaining sustained economic and political pressure on Russia”.

The ministers “strongly condemned Russia’s announcement to hold mock referendums on sovereign Ukrainian territory,” the statement said.

“Any annexation of Ukrainian territory would be a flagrant violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and the Charter of the United Nations,” the statement said, urging “all states to unequivocally condemn any referendum and not to recognize its results.” .

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]