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This is said in a communiqué following the meeting of the Foreign and Development Ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) in London, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“We recall our statement of 12 April and call on Russia to de-escalate the situation on Ukraine’s borders and in the illegally-annexed Crimea,” the document reads.

The ministers reaffirm their support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders including its territorial waters. They call on Russia to uphold the OSCE principles and commitments it has signed up to on transparency about its military forces and activities, including by addressing the specific concerns and questions raised under Chapter III of the Vienna Document. The diplomats express regret that Russia failed to provide a substantive response and its failure to meet with Ukraine is wholly inconsistent with the letter and spirit of the Vienna Document.

It is critical that Moscow now fully withdraws its forces and takes the necessary steps to help alleviate tensions.

The foreign ministers express their deep concern over Russia’s actions to block access to parts of the Black Sea, including near illegally-annexed Crimea and the Kerch Strait, impeding access to Ukraine’s ports in the Sea of Azov. At the same time, they commend Ukraine’s posture of restraint and diplomatic approach in this context.

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