The G7 has announced a new wave of sanctions against Russia to pressure President Vladimir Putin, over his invasion of Ukraine.
The new package includes a ban on importing Russian diamonds, and Russian-origin copper, aluminum and nickel.
At the opening of the G7 meeting in Hiroshima, the G7 leaders from Britain, the United States, Japan, Canada, Germany, France, Italy and the European Union. said their aim is to cut Kremlin revenues and “starve Russia of G7 technology, industrial equipment and services that support its war machine.”
They said a price cap on Russian oil agreed at last year’s summit in Germany “is working” to cut Moscow’s income from energy exports.
“Our support for Ukraine will not waver. We will not tire in our commitment to mitigate the impact of Russia’s illegal actions on the rest of the world”, they said in a joint statement.
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is expected to attend the G7 summit in Japan in person, officials said on Friday.
Talks between G7 allies, including the US and French presidents, Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron, will centre on military and economic support for Ukraine to show a united front.
The UK is also preparing sanctions against 86 people and organisations connected to Russia’s energy, metals, defence, transport, and financial sectors to apply further pressure on Mr Putin and his supporters.
Downing Street expects other G7 allies, which also include Germany, Italy and Canada, and the EU, to impose similar sanctions.
“As today’s sanctions announcements demonstrate, the G7 remains unified in the face of the threat from Russia and steadfast in our support for Ukraine”, said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.