Leaders of the G7 group of industrial nations have arrived in Brussels to begin a two-day summit. The meeting comes in the shadow of the crisis in Ukraine and it's the first time in 17 years that Russia won't be taking part.

Upon her arrival, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the group has "stood together very well" over the past weeks on the question of Ukraine and Russia. She said the leaders will discuss how to further support Ukraine and renew dialogue with Russia, but she warned that the threat of sanctions against Russia remain firmly on the table.

At a press conference before the meeting, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the leaders from the seven countries will discuss the Ukraine crisis, the global economy, energy safety, climate change and development.