Russia on Wednesday warned this week’s Group of Eight summit should not be used as a platform for “instigating pressure and sanctions” against Arab regimes which are partners of Moscow. Russia is likely to be a discordant voice at the G8 summit starting Thursday as it continues to oppose sanctions and the use of force against its Soviet-era ally Syria and other bilateral partners.
“With its strategic approach the G8 should not … turn into a body conducting ‘preliminary investigations’ and instigating pressure and sanctions,” the Kremlin said ahead of the summit in a statement.