Brussels, 16/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - Heads of State and Government from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom and the US (as well as the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, and the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker) stated on Friday 13 February, that they supported the “package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements” adopted the previous day in Minsk. The G-7, however, says that it is prepared to sanction those that violate the 15 February ceasefire.
The day after the entry into force of the new ceasefire, fighting continued around the strategic city of Debaltseve, where several thousand Ukrainian soldiers are in danger of being encircled.
The G-7 stated that the implementation of the Minsk Package “paves the way to a comprehensive, sustainable and peaceful settlement to the crisis in eastern Ukraine”.
Nonetheless, the G-7 remains concerned by the situation on the ground, following fighting in the outskirts of Debaltseve where “separatist militias supported by Russia have taken action beyond the contact lines contained in the Minsk agreements of September 2014”.
The G-7 said that it was calling on “all the parties to strictly respect the provisions in the package and implement its measures without delay by beginning with the ceasefire of 15 February”. It said it was prepared to “adopt appropriate measures against those breaching the 'Minsk package', particularly those who do not respect the ceasefire, as well as the withdrawal of heavy weapons”. The G-7 has once again condemned the illegal annexation of the Crimea, which it says is “a violation of international law”.
The G-7 also supports the agreement of 12 February between the IMF and the government of Ukraine on a new economic reforms programme, which will be supported by an expanded IMF loans mechanism. G-7 members want the programme to be examined by the IMF as soon as possible. The G-7 statement explains: “We are providing financial assistance to support Ukraine. This international assistance will help Ukraine in the ambitious economic reforms it is undertaking to restore economic growth and improve the living standards of the Ukrainian people. We commend the government of the Ukraine for its commitment to implement this ambitious economic agenda with regard to economic, rule-of-law and democratic reforms”. (Lionel Changeur)