BRUSSELS -- The leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrial countries are expected to reconfirm their willingness to intensify sanctions against Russia over its actions in Ukraine when they meet this week in Brussels.
The June 4-5 summit hosted by the European Union was initially planned as a G8 meeting in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi.
It was rescheduled as a G7 summit in Brussels after Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in March.
Diplomatic sources in Brussels said on June 3 that while the G7 leaders are set to reaffirm their commitment to levying further sanctions against Russia "if the situation so requires," priority is currently being given to "diplomatic and political efforts" to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.
They declined to say what Russian actions might trigger further sanctions, saying this is a matter for leaders to decide.
The June 4-5 summit hosted by the European Union was initially planned as a G8 meeting in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi.
It was rescheduled as a G7 summit in Brussels after Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in March.
Diplomatic sources in Brussels said on June 3 that while the G7 leaders are set to reaffirm their commitment to levying further sanctions against Russia "if the situation so requires," priority is currently being given to "diplomatic and political efforts" to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.
They declined to say what Russian actions might trigger further sanctions, saying this is a matter for leaders to decide.