Kerry Threatens Putin With Revocation of G-8 Status

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warned Sunday that Russia could be expelled from the G-8 and face economic sanctions unless President Vladimir Putin stops his “incredible act of aggression” and withdraws military troops from Ukraine.

The Guardian reports:

Speaking as western nations began suspending preparations for a summit of the eight leading industrialised countries in the Russian city of Sochi in June, Kerry said Moscow could be forced out of the group altogether and face a string of other penalties.

“He is not going to have a Sochi G8, he may not even remain in the G8 if this continues,” Kerry told NBC’s Meet the Press. “He may find himself with asset freezes, on Russian business, American business may pull back, there may be a further tumble of the ruble.”

Claiming Moscow was already isolated in the face of united condemnation from western allies, Kerry told ABC’s This Week that Putin was inviting “very serious repercussions” such as visa bans and asset freezes for Russian leaders and even economic sanctions.

On CBS’s Face the Nation, he reiterated: “They’re prepared to put sanctions in place, they’re prepared to isolate Russia economically.”