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Russia has mocked the US-led Group of Seven’s criticism of Moscow’s “destabilizing behavior” in their concluding joint statement while also making an ironic call for “stable and predictable” ties with the country.
“The G7 countries approved the joint statement where, in addition to the traditional call on Russia to stop the destabilizing behavior, there is one interesting aspect,” wrote Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova in a Sunday post on her Telegram channel, noting, “The [Group of] Seven expressed interest in ‘stable and predictable relations with Russia.”
Emphasizing that Russia’s predictability has been proven over the years, the senior diplomat further challenged the G7 to demonstrate how predictable they can be considering their poor record in the field.
“Earlier, they stated that Russia should be more stable and predictable,” Zakharova underlined. “Now this task is considered to be the sphere of joint relations, that is, depending on all sides. Taking into account that our predictability has been confirmed by years and actions, now it’s the [Group of] Seven’s turn who are not as strong in this sphere.”
G7 urges stable, predictable Russia ties
Zakharova’s statement came after the heads of the world’s wealthiest states accused Russia in the final communique of their summit of being engaged in that they referred to as “malign activities,” meddling in “democratic systems,” and violating human rights, among other allegations.
“We reaffirm our call on Russia to stop its destabilizing behavior and malign activities, including its interference in other countries’ democratic systems, and to fulfill its international human rights obligations and commitments,” read the G7 statement while insisting on the “interest in stable and predictable relations” with Moscow in “areas of mutual interest.”
The Group of Seven — comprising the US, Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada, France, and Japan — also called on Moscow to respect human rights and urged it to hold responsible those allegedly involved in cyberattacks.
“In particular, we call on Russia to urgently investigate and credibly explain the use of a chemical weapon on its soil, to end its systematic crackdown on independent civil society and media, and to identify, disrupt, and hold to account those within its borders who conduct ransomware attacks, abuse virtual currency to launder ransoms, and other cybercrimes,” read the 25-page document, which also slammed big rival China on alleged human rights and trade practices.
Moscow has consistently refuted the group’s allegations that its actions are of destabilizing nature or that cyberattacks targeting other countries are initiated on its territory.
‘Normandy format’
The G7’s communique also went out of its way to express particular support for what is referred to as Ukraine’s “democratic institutions,” insisting on the importance of talks in the Normandy format.
“We reiterate our support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders,” the G7 statement emphasized, urging Moscow “to alleviate tensions and act in accordance with its international obligations, and to withdraw the Russian military troops and materiel at the eastern border of Ukraine and on the Crimean Peninsula.”
Accusing Russia of being “a party to the conflict in Eastern Ukraine,” rather than a mediator, the document further reads, “We affirm our support for the Normandy Process to secure the implementation of the Minsk agreements.” It then called on Moscow to “to engage constructively and recommit to the ceasefire.”
Following a Western-sponsored upheaval in Ukraine in February 2014, the residents of the country’s eastern regions of Donetsk and Lugansk refused to recognize Kiev’s new authorities and launched mass protest rallies.
Acting Ukrainian President Alexander Turchinov at the time announced the start of a military operation in Donbass, with Kiev accusing Moscow of interfering on the side of Donbass. The Russian side, however, repeatedly emphasized that it was not a party to the internal Ukrainian conflict and has been consistently supporting a total implementation of the Minsk Agreements it signed as a mediator in the peaceful settlement process.
Leaders of the G7 group of nations gathered in the seaside resort of Carbis Bay in Cornwall, UK, on June 11-13, joined by Head of the European Council Charles Michel, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen as well as leaders of Australia, South Korea and South Africa and the new Director-General of the WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took part in a remote format due to the tense coronavirus situation in his country. The main issue on the summit’s agenda was the global recovery after the coronavirus pandemic.
