The U.S. government has hinted at the prospect of new sanctions on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine ahead of a summit of the Group of Seven (G7).

The G7 summit is leading industrial nations in Japan.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on his flight to Japan that the U.S. would present a sanctions package in conjunction with a G7 summit declaration.

“There will be discussions about the state of play on sanctions and the steps that the G7 will collectively commit to on enforcement in particular,” stated Mr Sullivan. “This will make sure that we are shutting down evasion networks, closing loopholes in the sanctions so that the impact is amplified and magnified.”

He further stated, “The U.S. will have a package of sanctions associated with a G7 statement that will centre on this enforcement issue.”

The West has imposed far-reaching sanctions on Russia in response to the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Mr Sullivan also addressed reports of a potential ban on exports to Russia, saying he did not anticipate “this kind of comprehensive export ban.”

“The main focus of sanctions implementation at the summit will be about enforcement and evasion,” he said.

The G7 included the U.S., Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Japan, which currently holds the rotating chair.

(dpa/NAN)