The United Kingdom and France decided not to participate in preparatory talks regarding the G8 Summit in Sochi due to Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine.
Speaking from RAF Northolt as he was about to board a plane to Kiev, [British foreign minister] Hague said: “We have to recognise the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine has been violated and this cannot be the way to conduct international affairs and so, in addition to calling yesterday’s emergency meeting of the UN security council, the United Kingdom will join other G8 countries this week in suspending our co-operation under the G8, which Russia chairs this year, including the meetings this week for the preparation of the G8 summit.”
“We will keep our approach to further G8 meetings under review.”
President Obama spoke to Russia President Vladimir Putin on Sunday and demanded he pull back his troops in Crimea. He also told Putin if he does not respect Ukraine’s sovereignty the US will not participate in the G8 Summit. Canada already recalled their Russian ambassador and stopped their preparatory meetings for the G8.
“Ukraine’s sovereign territory must be respected and the Ukrainian people must be free to determine their own future,” [Prime Minister Stephen] Harper said in his statement. “We call on President Putin to immediately withdraw his forces to their bases and refrain from further provocative and dangerous actions.”
On Sunday, gunmen and Russian soldiers surrounded two Ukraine military bases in Crimea. Ukraine’s new Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk ordered full military mobilization for war. Protesters in Independence Square in Kiev are preparing for war against Russia and offered their services to Ukraine. They are concerned with pro-Russia protesters in the east and raising Russian flags in prominent cities.