Ukraine PM accuses Russia of wanting war

Leaders of the G7 nations on Friday condemned Russian actions in and around Ukraine, promising punishments aimed at sending a message to Moscow.

“We have now agreed that we will move swiftly to impose additional sanctions on Russia,” the G7 leaders said.

“Given the urgency of securing the opportunity for a successful and peaceful democratic vote next month in Ukraine’s presidential elections, we have committed to act urgently to intensify targeted sanctions and measures to increase the costs of Russia’s actions.”

The statement from the group — which includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States

— came hours after U.S. President Barack Obama threatened Russia on Friday with new sanctions.

According to a senior Obama administration official, each G7 country “will determine which targeted sanctions they will impose” — measures that “will be coordinated and complementary, but not necessarily identical.”

The United States could take action as early as Monday, according to the official.

This comes as Western nations and Ukraine’s government in Kiev express growing concerns about what they see as Russia’s role in the Eastern European nation, its military movements outside it and the potential for the situation becoming an even larger conflict that could envelop the region.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk accused Russia of aiming to occupy his country “militarily and politically,” claiming that Russia wants to start a third world war.

His strong statement came amid a sharp escalation in tensions.

Russia’s defense chief ordered new military drills Thursday near the border with eastern Ukraine after Ukrainian forces said they killed five pro-Russian militants in an operation to clear roadblocks near the city of Slavyansk.

Source:CNN