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Russia's G8 partners have condemned Moscow's military build-up in Ukraine amid fresh diplomatic
efforts to avert a dangerous escalation of the crisis.
The world's seven major industrialised powers also suspended preparations for the G8 summit
in Sochi in June. Meanwhile, European Union foreign ministers
are due to meet in emergency session in Brussels. The moves come as Russian military forces
continue to strengthen their grip on the Crimean peninsula.
Ukraine's interim government has accused Russia of having declared war, and has ordered the
mobilisation of its armed forces. But Russian President Vladimir Putin has so
far defied calls from the West to pull back his troops.
He insists Russia has a right to protect its interests and those of Russian-speakers in
Crimea and elsewhere in Ukraine. The UN said on Sunday that Deputy Secretary-General
Jan Eliasson was travelling to Ukraine to be "personally apprised of the facts on the
ground". A statement said he would brief UN Secretary
General Ban Ki-moon "on the next steps the United Nations could take to support the de-escalation
of the situation". Financial backing
The G7 urged Russia to hold talks with Ukraine to address any human rights or security concerns
it has. In a statement released from the White House
it said: "We, the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom
and the United States and the President of the European Council and President of the
European Commission, join together today to condemn the Russian Federation's clear violation
of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
"We have decided for the time being to suspend our participation in activities associated
with the preparation of the scheduled G8 Summit in Sochi in June."
G7 finance ministers said they were ready "to provide strong financial backing to Ukraine".
"The International Monetary Fund (IMF) remains the institution best prepared to help Ukraine
address its immediate economic challenges through policy advice and financing," a statement
said. Ukraine needs $35bn over the next two years,
according to the finance ministry,