Germany on Monday opposed Russia's return to the G7 group of nations, amid US President Donald Trump鈥檚 proposal to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to the group鈥檚 next summit.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas underlined that Russia鈥檚 readmission to the group would not be possible if Moscow remains reluctant to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
鈥淭he reason behind Russia's suspension was the annexation of Crimea and its intervention in eastern Ukraine. As long as we don鈥檛 have a solution here, I don鈥檛 see a chance for this,鈥� Maas said in an interview with German daily General Anzeiger.
Trump has repeatedly argued for Russia's return to the group of world's major powers, and he recently suggested expanding the group with new members like Russia, India, Australia and South Korea.
Germany鈥檚 top diplomat Heiko Maas opposed Trump鈥檚 proposal, saying the existing format was a reasonable one.
"The G7 and G20 are two sensibly coordinated formats. We don't need a G11 or G12,鈥� he stressed.
In a phone call with South Korea鈥檚 President Moon Jae-in last month, Trump described the G7 as an 鈥渙utdated system鈥� which doesn鈥檛 reflect the realities of today鈥檚 world, and he suggested expanding the group with new members.
Trump is planning to host leaders of G7 nations later this year. The summit was set for March but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Britain are members of the G7.
By Ayhan Simsek in Berlin
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr