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G-7 nations wonâ€™t recognize Crimea referendum

12 March 2014 15:29 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Victoria Dementieva – APA. The leaders of G-7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States), the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission issued joint statement on referendum to be held in Crimea.

APA reports that leaders called on the Russian Federation to cease all efforts to change the status of Crimea contrary to Ukrainian law and in violation of international law, immediately halt actions supporting a referendum on the territory of Crimea, in direct violation of the Constitution of Ukraine: “Any such referendum would have no legal effect. Given the lack of adequate preparation and the intimidating presence of Russian troops, it would also be a deeply flawed process which would have no moral force. For all these reasons, we would not recognize the outcome.”

According to G-7 leaders, Russian annexation of Crimea would be a clear violation of the United Nations Charter. Should the Russian Federation take such a step, further action will be taken, individually and collectively. They called on the Russian Federation to de-escalate the conflict in Crimea and other parts of Ukraine immediately, withdraw its forces back to their pre-crisis numbers and garrisons. They also reminded the Russian Federation of our 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.