The member countries of G7 said that they were deeply concerned about the build-up of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine as well as in the annexed Crimea region.
Recently there has been reports about Russian military activity in and around Ukraine as well as ceasefire violations has raised international concern that 7 year old conflict between the two countries could escalate again.
Last ceasefire was announced on 27th July 2020.
On a joint statement on Monday the Foreign Ministers of Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US said, “These large-scale troop movements, without prior notification, represent threatening and destabilizing activities, we call on Russia to cease its provocations and to immediately de-escalate tensions in line with its international obligations”.
“The Ministers reaffirmed their “unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders”.
Russia was booted out of G7 (G8 known then) after Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula after a controversial referendum in 2014.
Crimea is still considered as a part of Ukrainian territory by international community.
Due to the ongoing conflicts that began in April 2014 in Donbas, which comprises the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk has already claimed 14,000 lives and left more than 40,000 wounded.
In the current year 26 Ukrainian servicemen lost their lives and 57 others got injured.
Parts of Donbas along the Russian border has been controlled by Insurgents for almost 7 years.
