WASHINGTON, April 7 (TASS) - Member states of the Group of Seven (G7) will step up efforts to control the implementation of sanctions imposed against Russia, paying particular attention to the country’s possible evasion of restrictive measures, according to a statement by G7 top diplomats, published on Thursday after a meeting on the sidelines of a NATO ministerial summit in Brussels.

"Together with international partners, the G7 will sustain and increase pressure on Russia by imposing coordinated additional restrictive measures…," the statement reads.

"We will work together to stop any attempts to circumvent sanctions or to aid Russia by other means," according to the statement. "We are taking further steps to expedite plans to reduce our reliance on Russian energy, and will work together to this end."