Merkel backs sanctions as G7 condemns Russia

The Group of Seven (G7) industrial nations have condemned Russia’s occupation of Crimea and warned of “grave implications” should Moscow complete its annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula.

The G7 said in a statement they would not recognise Sunday’s planned regional referendum in Crimea on whether to remain a part of Ukraine or join the Russian federation.

On a visit to Warsaw, German chancellor Angela Merkel was at pains to show unity with Polish leader Donald Tusk. After recent Polish criticism of her restraint towards Russia, Dr Merkel stepped up her rhetoric and backed sanctions unless President Vladimir Putin responded to a proposal to join talks in a so-called contact group.

“We can only solve this conflict if . . . we show a unified European approach,” said Dr Merkel at a press conference with Mr Tusk. “We are in the 21st century and don’t solve our conflicts militarily, but . . . If we see no success for our efforts at talks we don’t just think about sanctions, but consider them.”

Travel restictions
British prime minister David Cameron said he, too, would push for imposition of so-called stage two sanctions against Russia. Restrictions to be discussed by EU foreign ministers on Monday are likely to include seizure of funds and property as well as travel restrictions on

a list of Russian and Ukrainian officials.

Amid growing pessimism that Russia will pull back ahead of the referendum, the G7 members – the US, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Japan – said the vote would have "no legal effect" as it posed a "direct violation" of Ukraine's constitution.

“In addition to its impact on the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, the annexation of Crimea could have grave implications for the legal order that protects the unity and sovereignty of all states,” said the seven.

Four days before the controversial vote, Ukraine warned of a build-up of some 80,000 troops and 270 tanks along its border with Russia. Faced with such military might Ukraine’s acting president Oleksandr Turchynov said Kiev was not in a position to take back Crimea even if it wanted to.

"We would expose the eastern border and Ukraine would not be protected," he said ahead of yesterday's meeting in Washington between President Barack Obama and prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, seen as a show of support for Ukraine's fledgling government.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Obama said the US and the international community “completely reject” Crimea’s proposed referendum this weekend, describing it as a “slapdash election”.

Mr Obama warned that if the referendum proceeded and Russia did not back down, the international community would be “forced to apply a cost to Russia’s violation of international law”.

“There’s another path available and we hope president Putin is willing to seize that path,” Mr Obama said, “but if he does not, I’m very confident that the international community will stand firmly behind the Ukrainian government.”

Mr Obama praised the courage of Ukrainian people for “standing up on behalf of democracy”.

In a last-ditch diplomatic effort, US secretary of state John Kerry will hold another round of talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in London.

Series of events
In Warsaw Polish leader Donald Tusk said EU leaders were ready to sign the first part of an association agreement with Ukraine as early as next week. Kiev's rejection of such agreement in favour of a deal with Russia last year triggered a series of events, beginning with months of protest in Kiev, the toppling of president Viktor Yanukovich and the Russian takeover of Crimea.

Meanwhile, independent media in Russia were facing fresh pressure on Wednesday after the sacking of a leading editor – a move flagged by colleagues as evidence of growing Kremlin censorship.

Mr Alexandr Mamut, the billionaire owner of Lenta.ru fired his editor-in-chief Galina Timchenko, the website said, without giving a reason for her dismissal.

Russia’s media watchdog, Roskomnadzor, had previously issued a warning to Lenta.ru over publishing interviews with ultra-right Ukrainian revolutionaries.