2014年CRI G7峰会开幕将俄罗斯排除在外 叙利亚大选阿萨德获连任（在线收听）

All leaders of the world's major economies are gathering in Brussels for the Group of Seven summit, but without Russia.

Moscow has been excluded by western leaders because of the Kremlin's role in the Ukraine crisis.

Ahead of the meeting, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the group will follow its three-stage approach: to support Ukraine, to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis through talks with Russia, and finally, further sanctions against Russia would be possible if the situation in Ukraine gets worse.

Moscow has reacted, blaming the West for sparking the crisis.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized western leaders for ignoring Russia's interests and refusing to treat it as an equal partner.

Syria is going to miss the June 30th deadline to completely destroy its chemical weapons, but such remaining munitions are said to be "out of harms way."

That statement is from the UN agency overseeing the elimination of the country's chemical stockpile.

It comes after the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has secured a third term in office after winning over 88 percent of the vote in the presidential election held this week.

The ongoing civil war in Syria has been blamed for an estimated 160-thousand deaths. Millions have been forced from their homes.

China has released another statement on the Syria crises, calling for a ceasefire.

China is also urging all sides to proceed with the Geneva negotiations and a political settlement to the crisis.