Angela Merkel sees no reason why Russia should be restored in G8
German Chancellor Angela Merkel feels that the decision to exclude Russia from the international G8 forum was correct, and she sees no reason why the country should be restored, despite tense relations with the U.S. Merkel said this in answer to a question asked by a deputy of the Bundestag who belongs to the right-wing Alternative for Germany party.
According to Merkel, the G8 forum is based on respect for international law, which Russia has brazenly violated.
“The annexation of Crimea was a flagrant violation of international law, and therefore Russia's exclusion from the G8 format was the right decision,” Merkel said.
Deputies of the Alternative for Germany party are known for their regular visits to the annexed Crimea as well as calls for withdrawing European sanctions from the occupying country and closer cooperation with Russia.
Earlier, at a meeting in Toronto, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that he does not see the possibility of Russia returning to the forum – and a return to the G8 – in the near future.
In early July 2014, as a result of the annexation of Crimea, the G8 summit in Sochi was canceled, and Russia’s membership in the G8 was suspended. In order for Russia to be returned to the forum, it would have to fulfill the conditions of the Minsk agreements and give up its occupation of Crimea.