We reaffirm our strongest support to the negotiating efforts of the Normandy Group and to the multifaceted commitment of the OSCE for a solution to the crisis in Ukraine. We commend the activity of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission and call on the parties to guarantee the safety and security of observers as well as to grant them unfettered access to all conflict areas. We are concerned by the systematic pattern of obstruction and even intimidation of the OSCE SMM. The humanitarian situation and access in eastern Ukraine close to the contact line remain a matter of concern. We recognize the responsibility of the Russian Federation in the conflict in Ukraine and underline its subsequent pivotal role in restoring peace and stability in the country, by taking all necessary steps to improve the situation. Russia’s behaviour is not consistent with the rules-based international order, whose principles we are committed to protecting and upholding. We remain united in using a wide array of foreign policy tools, including restrictive measures and sanctions, with the goal of persuading Russia to return to a path of shared respect of those principles. We reiterate our call on all sides to assume their responsibilities and fulfil their commitments under the Minsk Agreements, including the withdrawal of foreign armed formations and equipment from the territory of Ukraine, the return of Ukrainian control over its side of the international border and safe access and provision of humanitarian assistance to people in need. We recall that the duration of sanctions is clearly linked to Russia’s complete implementation of its commitments in the Minsk Agreements and respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty. We maintain our commitment to assisting Ukraine in implementing its ambitious and yet necessary reform agenda. We commend Kyiv for the results so far attained in implementing institutional and administrative reforms but much remains to be done. We encourage the Ukrainian Government to target the most critical areas, in particular public administration and political reform, justice reform, decentralization, the fight against corruption and the promotion of civil freedom, particularly the freedom of expression. Efforts to tackle corruption should not be used against civil society, which is vital to Ukraine’s reform path. It is key that social and economic reforms benefits are visible to all citizens of Ukraine. We remain committed to providing support and assistance to accomplish the required reforms in the fiscal, judicial financial, energy, health, welfare and custom sectors as well as in corporate governance of State-owned enterprises. We welcome the ongoing efforts of the G7 Ukraine Support group and its further engagement in a constructive and productive dialogue with the Ukrainian authorities. Joint Communiqué | G7 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING 17