At G20 summit, US and Europe blast Russia over Ukraine
Obama raps Russia over its apparent support for rebels in eastern Ukraine and the European Union threatens stronger sanctions if supply of troops and weapons doesn't stop
US President Barack Obama said on Saturday that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine was “appalling” and a threat to the world, while European nations threatened further sanctions against Moscow if it did not end the flow of weapons and troops.
Speaking on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brisbane, Obama placed security and climate change at centre stage of the leaders meeting, overshadowing talks on global economic growth.
Obama said the United States was at the forefront of “opposing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, which is a threat to the world, as we saw in the appalling shoot-down of MH17”.
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, also at the G20 summit, said Moscow must stop supplying weapons and troops to Ukraine, pressure rebels to accept a ceasefire, or face additional sanctions.
Europe’s foreign ministers will meet on Monday to assess the situation in Ukraine and whether further steps including additional sanctions were needed against Russia, he said.
“Russia must stop the inflow of weapons and troops from its territory into Ukraine and Russia must withdraw those already present,” Van Rompuy told a news conference.