The leaders of Group of 7 nations warned to impose fresh sanctions on Russia if it fails to end the crisis in Ukraine. The G7 leaders condemned Moscow for failing to take sufficient steps to end the violence and issued a joint statement in support of Ukraine's sovereignty.

This was the first G7 summit convened after Russia was expelled from the group. However the group leaders excluding US President Barack Obama will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Paris this week.

A Putin-Obama meeting is scheduled in France on Friday as the two leaders would come together to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in France. President Obama had sharply criticised Russia during his visit to Poland. Despite definite pressures from western leaders Russia has not been successful in containing the protest launched by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Putin did not officially respond to Obama's comments. But Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev accused US and European allies of limitless cynicism. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said G7 leaders would continue to pursue the three pronged agenda to end Ukraine crisis.

This include supporting Ukraine’s economic growth, holding talks with Russia and imposing tougher sanctions against Russia if it fails to ally violence in eastern Ukraine.