US, France want to invite Russia to G7, UK disagrees
French President Macron said that G7 leaders could not find consensus on inviting Russia to attend the G7 in the US next year.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo:TASS |
The announcement was made by Mr. Macron at the closing press conference of the G7 Summit in Biarritz, France on August 26, after US President Trump announced that he might invite Putin to the G7 summit held in the US next year.
Macron said France would support Trump's intentions if conditions regarding the conflict in Ukraine were met, adding that he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel plan to hold a summit in the coming weeks with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine to find a solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
However, Britain, which has been at odds with Russia over the death of former double agent Sergei Skripal, has not agreed to invite Putin to the G7 next year.
Most leaders support increased coordination with Russia, but believe it is too early for Moscow to return to the group, a source close to the matter said.
Russia joined the Group of Seven (G7) in 1997, when it was called the G8. After Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula in March 2014, at the urging of US President Barack Obama, Moscow was expelled from the group.
Trump has repeatedly suggested that Russia rejoin the G7. Last year, he said the G7 would be more effective if Russia were at the negotiating table. Days before leaving for France for the summit, he also said that "it would be much more appropriate if Russia were there." Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously said he would consider attending next year's G7 summit if invited.