The G7 countries - the group of the largest democracies - stressed today the need for stable "security agreements" to guarantee the ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. They warned Moscow that if it does not agree to a ceasefire on the same terms as Kiev, it will be subject to new sanctions, Reuters reports, BTA reports.
The agency cited the final version of the joint declaration from the meeting of G-7 foreign ministers in the Canadian city of La Malbaie, Quebec province.
"The G-7 countries call on Russia to reciprocate by agreeing to a ceasefire on equal terms with Ukraine and with its full implementation," the document says.
The formal approval of this final version is pending from the top diplomats of Canada, Britain, France, Italy, Germany, the United States and Japan, as well as from the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaia Kallas, who participated in the meeting.
The declaration emphasizes that any ceasefire must be strictly observed. It also points out the need for stable and reliable security agreements that would ensure Ukraine's ability to deter and defend its country in the event of possible future aggression.
The document also touches on the role of Iran, which the G7 countries define as "the main source of destabilization in the Middle East". Tehran is called upon to resume diplomatic dialogue on its nuclear program.
Reuters notes that, unlike previous declarations, the final version from La Malbaie lacks explicit mention of "a two-state solution to the Palestinian conflict" - Israel and Palestine.