TOKYO - Leaders from the Group of Seven industrialized countries on Tuesday warned Russia that any use of a nuclear weapon would be met with "severe consequences," as they reaffirmed their resolve to continue supporting Ukraine in its fight against Moscow's aggression.
The G-7 leaders got together following a wave of Russian attacks in retaliation for an operation attributed to Ukrainian forces late last week that damaged a bridge connecting Russia with Crimea. Moscow responded by unleashing one of its largest missile strikes on Ukraine since its invasion began in late February.
"We condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms," the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union said in a joint statement, highlighting that civilian infrastructure and cities across Ukraine were targeted.
"Indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilian populations constitute a war crime. We will hold (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin and those responsible to account," they said.
Fears are also mounting that Russia may use a tactical nuclear weapon for a limited strike in the war against its neighbor, with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida telling reporters, "We must not make Ukraine a new bombsite of nuclear weapons."
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