The future of a planned G8 summit in Russia is looking uncertain as member states have decided to suspend their participation “for the time being” over Moscow’s decision to send troops to the crisis-hit Crimean region of Ukraine.
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States could potentially boycott the planned meeting, which is scheduled to take place in June in Sochi, site of the Russia's recent high-profile Winter Olympics.
In a statement released on Sunday, the White House said the US would suspend preparations for the meeting “until the environment comes back where the G8 is able to have meaningful discussion”.
The remaining G8 members – the seven most-powerful industrial nations – have moved to isolate Russia’s position within the organization for its military intervention in Crimea.
Condemning Moscow’s violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, the G7 group said the action is in contravention of Russia’s obligations under the UN Charter and a 1997 military agreement with Kiev.
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