VOA常速英语:Declaration Of Support For Ukraine

The United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the presidents of the European Council and European Commission reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

In their Hague Declaration, these countries strongly condemned the illegal military actions and “annexation” of Crimea by Russia.

Russia's actions, the declaration affirmed, will have significant consequences. In addition to the sanctions already imposed, the U.S. and its allies remain ready to implement additional sanctions that would have a significant impact on the Russian economy.

Russia can choose to avoid these consequences, but it must take actions now. Russia must respect Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, begin discussions with the government of Ukraine, and accept offers of international mediation and monitoring to address legitimate concerns.

The leaders of the G-7, the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan announced that they will not participate in the planned G-8 summit in Sochi, Russia. "We will suspend our participation in the G-8 until Russia changes course and the environment comes back to where the G-8 is able to have a meaningful discussion and will meet again in G-7 format at the same time as planned, in June 2014, in Brussels." G-7 members will also meet to discuss ways to strengthen their collective energy security.

Mindful of Ukraine's economic situation, the G-7 strongly supports the International Monetary Fund's efforts to lessen the country's economic vulnerabilities and better integrate the country as a market economy in a multilateral system.

The G-7 strongly supports the Ukrainian government's ambitious political reform agenda that includes constitutional reform, free and fair presidential elections in May, promotion of human rights and respect of national minorities.

The United States and its allies remain firm in their support for the people of Ukraine who seek to restore unity, democracy, political stability, and economic prosperity to their country.