Obama says G7 must stand up to Russian ‘aggression’ in Ukraine

U.S. President Barack Obama urged fellow leaders of the G7 to stand up to “Russian aggression in Ukraine” as he enjoyed a traditional Bavarian welcome ahead of their summit in Germany. One of the many issues G7 leaders would be discussing during their two-day summit was “standing up to Russian aggression,” Obama said in opening remarks as he was welcomed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. President Vladimir Putin, in an interview published on Saturday, said that Russia is not a threat to the West and he was still committed to a Ukraine peace deal. Russia has been excluded from what was previously known as the G8, since the annexation of Crimea last year. Russia already faces sanctions imposed by the U.S. and European countries.

We’re going to discuss our shared future, the global economy that creates jobs and opportunity, maintaining a strong and prosperous European Union, forging new trade partnerships across the Atlantic, standing up to Russian aggression in Ukraine.

President Obama, speaking in the town of Kruen, near the summit site at Schloss Elmau

In a sign of togetherness designed to show absentee Putin the unity of the G7 over the Ukraine crisis, Obama said ties between the United States and Germany were “one of the strongest alliances the world has ever known.” He also hailed the “enduring friendship” between the American and German people in a speech warmly applauded by Bavarians in traditional dress, quaffing beer and munching pretzels. For her part, Merkel praised the United States as an “essential partner” despite occasional “differences of opinion.” Earlier, thousands of demonstrators packed a German Alpine resort town on Saturday to protest a wide range of causes, from climate change to free trade, ahead of the summit. Though the demonstration in Garmisch-Partenkirchen was largely peaceful, a small group of protesters clashed with police.

I would like to say - there’s no need to be afraid of Russia. The world has changed so much that people in their right mind cannot imagine such a large-scale military conflict today. We have other things to do, I can assure you.

President Vladimir Putin, speaking to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera

Politics G7