Seeking to isolate Russia for its actions in Ukraine, President Barack Obama and other world economic powers moved to indefinitely cut Moscow out of a major international coalition on Monday, including canceling an economic summit President Vladimir Putin planned to host in June.
Mr. Obama met with the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan for an emergency meeting of the Group of Seven, focused on Russia's annexation of Crimea.
In a joint statement after the meeting, the leaders said they were suspending their participation with Russia in the Group of Eight major industrial nations until Moscow "changes course.''
The G-7 leaders said rather than attend the planned G-8 meeting in Sochi, Russia, they will instead hold a June meeting in Brussels.
Earlier Monday, President Obama said that Europe and the United States are united in support of the Ukrainian government and the Ukrainian people.
A two-day nuclear security summit in the Hague which started Monday was set to be the highlight of the American president's week-long trip to Europe and Saudi Arabia, before being overshadowed by developments in Ukraine.
Mr. Obama met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the nuclear summit Monday. During a joint press briefing before going into talks, the U.S. president said the relationship with China "has been as important as any bilateral relationship in the world, and we've made great strides."
Mr. Obama said he and President Xi will focus on issues of mutual interest including the denuclearization of North Korea and climate change, as well as the situation in Ukraine.
President Xi told reporters "there is greater space where China and the United States are cooperating and, where we need to, can work with each other."
On Tuesday, Mr. Obama will take part in a three-way summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Park Geun-Hye.
"Europe and America are united in our support for the Ukrainian government, the Ukrainian people And we are united in imposing a cost on Russia for its actions so far."
Mr. Obama met with the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan for an emergency meeting of the Group of Seven, focused on Russia's annexation of Crimea.
In a joint statement after the meeting, the leaders said they were suspending their participation with Russia in the Group of Eight major industrial nations until Moscow "changes course.''
The G-7 leaders said rather than attend the planned G-8 meeting in Sochi, Russia, they will instead hold a June meeting in Brussels.
Earlier Monday, President Obama said that Europe and the United States are united in support of the Ukrainian government and the Ukrainian people.
A two-day nuclear security summit in the Hague which started Monday was set to be the highlight of the American president's week-long trip to Europe and Saudi Arabia, before being overshadowed by developments in Ukraine.
Mr. Obama met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the nuclear summit Monday. During a joint press briefing before going into talks, the U.S. president said the relationship with China "has been as important as any bilateral relationship in the world, and we've made great strides."
Mr. Obama said he and President Xi will focus on issues of mutual interest including the denuclearization of North Korea and climate change, as well as the situation in Ukraine.
President Xi told reporters "there is greater space where China and the United States are cooperating and, where we need to, can work with each other."
On Tuesday, Mr. Obama will take part in a three-way summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Park Geun-Hye.
"Europe and America are united in our support for the Ukrainian government, the Ukrainian people And we are united in imposing a cost on Russia for its actions so far."