Foreign ministers of the G7 group have warned Russia of “serious consequences” if it invades Ukraine and urged it to reduce its military base on its borders.
A report from a conference in Liverpool said the party had reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the right of any independent state to determine its own future” and commended what it called “Ukraine’s” blockade “as tensions escalated.
“Any use of force to change borders is strictly prohibited under international law. Russia should have no doubt that the continuation of the military offensive in Ukraine will have far-reaching consequences and significant costs in response, “the statement said, following a weekend meeting full of arms and military talks with Russian troops in the border region.
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UK Secretary of State Liz Truss said all forms of economic sanctions against Russia are on the table when it enters Ukraine, and indicated that it may be ready to reconsider UK anti-money laundering laws, seen by some as an organization. how Russian dignitaries keep their money.
He said the attack would bring “huge costs” to Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian media on Sunday that the demon by removing troops from its borders said Vladimir Putin had told Joe Biden in a video last week that Russian troops were not a threat to anyone.
Economic sanctions could include restricting access to international financial markets and setting new conditions for financing the Russian government’s debt. Canceling Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany is also on the agenda.
On Sunday the new German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said the pipeline would not be allowed to operate in the event of a new “ascent” in Ukraine, under an agreement between Berlin and Washington.
“In the event of an explosion the gas pipeline could not work,” Baerbock told German television station ZDF, citing earlier threats made by Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Although all foreign ministers in the G7 – a group that collects 50% of global GDP – it was clear they had to send the strongest signal to Putin not to attack Ukraine, there was a difference in emphasizing the best kind of sanctions, too. whether the G7 domestic rules need to be updated.
Truss said the UK was considering all options, when asked if it was willing to introduce a review of anti-corruption laws after criticism that London had acted as a refuge for the kleptocrats.
“We have strict anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws in the UK, but let’s be clear: when the UK wants to send clear messages and reach clear goals, we are ready to impose economic sanctions, so we consider all our options and partners, including the US and our partners. -G7, we are clear that there will be serious consequences, ”he said.
It was unclear in his remarks “all the options” how far Trus intended to go.
EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday were likely to announce the start of a process to impose sanctions on Russia’s private military contract Wagner Group. Moscow denies Wagner is in contact with Russia but says the EU will retaliate against any sanctions against its citizens.
The move is being pushed forward by France, which is concerned about Wagner Group’s intervention in the Sahel region in Africa.
U.S. intelligence is speculating that Russia may be planning an attack on Ukraine involving 175,000 troops early next year. Moscow has denied any plans to attack and seeks security guarantees that Nato will not expand east or place its weapons near Russia.
In 2014 Russia annexed the Crimean Black Sea peninsula in Ukraine, leading the west to impose sanctions.
Truss said Iran had one last chance to return to compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal. Liverpool’s foreign leaders exchanged notes, saying they believed Iran was willing to negotiate a deal in Vienna, or instead play a role.
Negotiations from Europe, Russia, China, the US and Iran have been in the Austrian capital over the weekend to work on a document that the US is likely to lift sanctions against Iran, leading to Tehran’s return to the nuclear deal.
“This is the last chance for Iran to come to the table with a critical solution to this issue, which must be in line with the JCPOA [comprehensive plan of action],” Truss said. “This is their last chance and it is important that they do that. We will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. ”
European politicians say Iran’s behavior will not be seen as a real attempt to secure an agreement.
It is possible that if the talks do not progress at the pace required by the US and Europe, a dialogue will be called at the leadership level to decide whether the Iranian man is not in line with the 2015 agreement at the UN emergency board meeting. nuclear inspectorate. That will mark the beginning of the final fall of the treaty.
At the same time, however, strategists stressed that progress had been made in the past three days because Iran was no longer insisting that the talks on the newly elected government be prepared.
G7 members, joined by members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, spend the night at the Beatles Museum, with Cavern club mockup inside, and head to Anfield, home to Liverpool football club, for lunch.