Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper Monday warned that Russia could be stripped of membership in the Group of Eight (G-8) industrialized nations if it does not reverse course in Ukraine. The move is being considered by Canada and other G-8 members as part of sanctions targeting Russia over its military intervention in the Crimea region of Ukraine. On Sunday, the group withdrew from preparations for June's G8 summit in Sochi to protest Russia's violation of Ukraine's sovereignty. "(Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin's action has put his country on a course of diplomatic and economic isolation, and that could well see Russia exit the G8 entirely," Harper said. Earlier Monday, Harper spoke by telephone with his Ukrainian counterpart, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, pledging his support and Canada's assistance "during this important period of transition, including related to the upcoming elections."
