G7 urges parties not to complicate Ukraine situation

Berlin, Feb 14: The G7 group of countries have urged all parties to refrain from complicating the situation in Ukraine and threatened to punish those violating the ceasefire agreement reached on February 12 in Minsk.

The joint statement on Friday said that the G7 welcomed the package of deals which offered "the prospect of a comprehensive, lasting and peaceful solution to the crisis", but remained concerned about the situation in Ukraine.

"We called on all sides to comply strictly with the provision of the package and to immediately carry out measures provided therein, starting with a ceasefire on February 15," the statement said.

It added that all parties, in the coming days, should refrain from acts which would complicate the beginning of the ceasefire.

In the statement, the G7, which includes Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Canada, Britain and the US, threatened to "take appropriate action against those who violate the Minsk package, and thus increase the cost for them, especially against those who do not comply with the agreed comprehensive ceasefire and the withdrawal of heavy weapons".

The group also said that it welcomed the financial support agreement signed between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Ukraine on Thursday and would provide financial aid to Ukraine.

Earlier on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced a peace deal following 14-hour marathon talks in Minsk.

The deal envisages a ceasefire between Ukrainian forces and independence-seeking insurgents starting on Sunday, followed by the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the front line and constitutional reform to give eastern Ukraine more autonomy.

Germany currently holds the G7 presidency and will host the annual meeting of the heads of state and government on June 7 and 8 in 2015.

IANS