Tensions over Ukraine continued on Monday as leaders of western powers announced the ouster of Russia from the G8. Though Russia shrugged off the move, news reports of military movements by both NATO and Russian forces foretell further discord as the crisis related to the controversial government in Kiev and the annexation of Crimea continues to unravel.
Russia’s hold over Crimea was seemingly finalized Monday after the government in Kiev ordered the withdrawal of all Ukrainian troops from the region. And Russian troops, meanwhile, successfully capturing the Feodosia naval base, completing their hold over all bases on the peninsula.
In an attempt to punish Russia for these actions, world leaders Monday announced the ouster of Russia from the G8 consortium. Leaders of the G7 countries—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.S. and the UK—meeting at a nuclear security summit in The Hague revealed that an upcoming G8 summit in Sochi, Russia will be cancelled and that the group will be meeting in Brussels instead.
In a joint statement, dubbed the “The Hague Declaration,” G7 leaders condemned Russia’s actions over Ukraine and threatened to “intensify actions” against the country:
Meanwhile, reflecting the political flexing of world leaders over the crisis in Ukraine, media reports of troop build-ups and “war games” on both sides of the Russian border have enhanced the drama on the ground.
News outlets sounded the alarm after Tony Blinken, White House deputy national security adviser, speculated to CNN’s Candy Crowley on Sunday that Russian troop build up along Ukraine’s eastern border may signify preparations to mobilize.
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