G7 vows 'severe costs' for those helping Russia in Ukraine
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00:00 Wrapping up talks in a Japanese mountain resort town, top diplomats from seven of the world's
00:05 leading economies put Russia and China on notice.
00:09 In a final statement, the group promised anyone supporting Moscow's war would face severe
00:15 costs.
00:16 "We stand with Ukraine.
00:20 And when the inevitable voices, led by a Russia that is losing its war of conquest, talk about
00:25 avoiding escalation or call for Ukraine to stop reclaiming its own territory, we will
00:30 remind the world who is the aggressor and who is the victim."
00:35 The G7 ministers also issued a warning to Beijing over its military activities in the
00:40 South China Sea.
00:42 The statement insisted their Taiwan policy has not changed, a response to recent comments
00:48 from French President Emmanuel Macron, who controversially said Europe must not become
00:53 just America's followers on Taiwan.
00:56 "The G7 calls on China to act as a responsible member of the international community.
01:06 We have reaffirmed that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is crucial, essential
01:11 for the safety and prosperity of the international community."
01:16 Beijing, furious over the communique, called it "arrogant and sinister."
01:21 "The G7 meeting disregarded China's solemn position and objective facts, grossly interfered
01:28 in China's internal affairs and maliciously slandered and smeared China."
01:34 Russian President Vladimir Putin, apparently unmoved by Western criticism, has stepped
01:39 up bombardments in Ukraine's east.
01:41 When spent Monday meeting with his commanders in two Ukrainian regions, Moscow claims to
01:46 have annexed.