G7 countries issue statement on sanctions against Russia

The G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US issued a joint statement on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

The joint statement said, "The G7 foreign ministers and the High Representative of the European Union met for the first time at the events of the Munich Security Conference under Canada's 2025 Presidency."

The statement, which noted that G7 members addressed Russia's destructive war in Ukraine, said, "Members emphasized their commitment to working together for a lasting peace and a strong, prosperous Ukraine, and reaffirmed the need to develop robust security guarantees to prevent the war from restarting."

"G7 MEMBERS REAFFIRMED THEIR UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE"

The statement, which noted that the ministers met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, sent a message to Russia, stating, "Any new, additional sanctions after February should depend on whether the Russian Federation demonstrates real and sincere efforts to permanently end the war against Ukraine. This should aim to protect Ukraine as a sovereign, independent country by providing it with long-term security and stability. G7 members reaffirmed their unwavering support for defending Ukraine's freedom, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity." The ministers also condemned China and Iran for providing assistance to Russia.

EMPHASIS PLACED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE

The statement noted that developments in the Middle East were also discussed, stating, "G7 members addressed political, security, and humanitarian issues, particularly in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. They emphasized their commitment to advancing regional peace and stability. They noted the importance of a lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace. They reiterated their support for fully implementing the ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas. G7 members expressed their backing for the efforts being made by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to reach a lasting ceasefire. They reiterated that Hamas must not be allowed to either reorganize militarily or participate in governance. They recognized Israel's right to self-defense in accordance with international law."

According to the statement, the ministers reiterated their support for an inclusive political transition process in Syria. They welcomed positive developments in Lebanon, particularly the recent election of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, the appointment of Nawaf Salam as Prime Minister, and the formation of a new government. G7 members reaffirmed their commitment to the stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of both countries.

The statement expressed that members firmly condemned Iran's "destabilizing" actions, stating, "These include the rapid advancement of uranium enrichment without a credible civilian justification, facilitating terrorist organizations and armed groups in the Middle East and the Red Sea, the proliferation of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, and the violation of fundamental human rights through transnational repression practices."

"THEY ALSO OPPOSED CHINA'S INITIATIVES"

The statement, which noted that G7 members reiterated their commitment to a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region based on respect for law and sovereignty, said, "They strongly opposed the use of force to unilaterally change the status quo and emphasized the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means. They also strongly opposed China's attempts to restrict freedom of navigation through coercive activities in the South China Sea."

According to the statement, which emphasized that members expressed serious concerns regarding North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, G7 members reiterated their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. They demanded that North Korea abandon all its nuclear weapons, existing nuclear programs, and other weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner, in accordance with all relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

CALL TO NORTH KOREA TO 'WITHDRAW SUPPORT'

The statement said, "They emphasized that North Korea's direct support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine constitutes a dangerous expansion of the conflict and that this situation will have serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific security. They called on North Korea to immediately cease all support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, particularly to withdraw its troops. Furthermore, they invited North Korea to immediately resolve the abduction issue."

The statement, which noted that G7 members discussed other situations of conflict and instability in the world, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Haiti, and Venezuela, expressed that the G7 foreign ministers are looking forward to their meeting to be held in Canada on March 12-14.