Britain pulls out of G8 preparations

Emily Buchanan

The UK has pulled out of preparatory talks for the G8 summit because of Russia's build-up of troops in the Ukrainian region of Crimea. 

The summit is due to be hosted by Russia in the city of Sochi.

Prince Edward, patron of the British Paralympic Association, has cancelled a visit to Russia for the Paralympic Games in Sochi, on government advice.

Prime Minister David Cameron said British ministers would also now not attend the Games.

The decisions were announced as Foreign Secretary William Hague flew to Kiev for talks with Ukraine's new leaders, amid rising tension with Russia.

Ukrainian acting president Olexander Turchynov has ordered a full mobilisation of Ukrainian military forces. 

Mr Hague has said he will reiterate UK support for Ukraine's sovereignty.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "The Prime Minister remains gravely concerned about events in Ukraine and is determined to pursue all avenues to reduce tensions and de-escalate a very dangerous situation."

The West has responded to the Ukraine crisis with frenetic diplomatic activity. But beyond strong words of condemnation, real pressure on Moscow appears muted. 

William Hague said his overwhelming priority was to calm tensions. He urged Russia to speak directly to the Ukrainians. In terms of sanctions, he said Britain and others would suspend preparatory meetings of the G8 summit in June. 

Mr Hague seemed to want to appear even-handed. He also had a firm message for the Kiev government - calling on them not to respond to provocation and to protect the Russian speaking minorities to avoid any pretext for Russia to expand its military ambitions.

It looks doubtful there are any more forceful options which the West would be prepared to use to loosen Russia's hold on Crimea. NATO has no legally binding alliance with Ukraine. 

So even though its secretary general said today that Russia's actions were threatening peace and security in Europe, military intervention is not on the cards. 

The spokesman said Mr Cameron would speak about the situation to US President Barack Obama, the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite on Sunday evening. 

He said Mr Cameron remained "fully supportive of our Paralympic athletes' participation at Sochi".

Before leaving for Kiev, Mr Hague said: "We have to recognise the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine has been violated and this cannot be the way to conduct international affairs. 

"And so, in addition to calling yesterday's emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, the United Kingdom will join other G8 countries this week in suspending our co-operation under the G8, which Russia chairs this year, including the meetings this week for the preparation of the G8 summit."

He said Britain would keep its approach to further G8 meetings under review.

In Brussels, Nato held emergency talks about Russia's move to take control of Crimea. 

Just before the meeting, Nato secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Russia's troop deployments violated the principles of the United Nations charter and threatened peace and security in Europe. 

"Russia must stop its military activities and its threats," he said. BBC