Germany rejects Russia's G7 return proposal

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has opposed Russia's return to the Group of the Seven Most Industrialised States (G7), after US President Donald Trump has cited Moscow's possibility of returning to the group of economic powers.

The reason for Russia's expulsion has been the annexation of the Crime and the intervention east of Ukraine”, Maas has said in an interview expected to be published Monday in two German newspapers, Rheinische Post and Bonner General-Anzeiger.

Therefore, as long as we don't have a choice there, I don't see the possibility of the Russian reunification of G7, Maas has said.

Trump has suggested Russia's return to G7 in May, when it has announced plans to delay the timing of this summit in September, due to its pandemic with coronavirus.

He has said he would like to increase the guest list in this organization, including Australia, Russia, South Korea and India.

Russia has been part of this group, but has been deported after the Ukraine annexing Crime in 2014.
Maas has said relations with Russia are now difficult “in many respects”.

Russia's “itself can contribute most to opening doors”, Maas said, when asked about Moscow's return to the elite group.

The group of seven most industrialised states consists of the United States, Canada, Germany, Japan, France, Britain and Italy. /rel/