Leaders of the G7 industrial nations meeting issued a joint statement condemning Moscow for its “continuing violation” of Ukraine’s sovereignty.  And they say they are prepared to impose further sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine.

“We are united in condemning the Russian Federation’s continuing violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” the statement read.  “We stand ready to intensify targeted sanctions and to consider meaningful additional restrictive measures to impose further costs on Russia should events so require.”

The summit in Brussels is the first since Russia was expelled from the Group of Eight following its annexation of Crimea in March.  It was to have taken place in Sochi, but the venue was changed. 

Earlier in Poland, US President Barack Obama warned Moscow against what he called its “dark tactics” in Ukraine.  Obama and some of the leaders will come face to face with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, at ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in France during World War II.