Russia suspended from G8, Putin accuses west of 'cheating'
The US and the European Union also announced new sanctions against Russia on Tuesday
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-03-18 18:12 GMT
Paris: France's foreign minister on Tuesday said that leaders of the Group of Eight world powers have suspended Russia's participation in the club amid tensions over Ukraine and Russia's incursion into Crimea.
The other seven members of the group had already suspended preparations for a G8 summit that Russia is scheduled to host in June in Sochi.
France's foreign minister Laurent Fabius went further on Tuesday, saying on Europe-1 radio that "concerning the G8 ... we decided to suspend Russia's participation, and it is envisaged that all the other countries, the seven leading countries, will unite without Russia." Fabius did not give further details.
The US and European Union on Tuesday announced new sanctions against Russia over its actions in the Crimean peninsula.
Reacting to the criticisms and actions by the west, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the west has "cheated Russia and crossed the line on Ukraine".
Meanwhile the Ukrainian party of former boxer turned politician Vitali Klitschko urged Kiev on Tuesday to cut diplomatic ties with Moscow, as Russia moved to admit Crimea into its territory.
"Given the Russian authorities' hostile acts and international practice, we insist that diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Russia be immediately cut," the UDAR party said in a statement, as Russian President Vladimir Putin prepared to sign a treaty making Crimea part of Russia.