The German Foreign Ministry announced the need for Russia to return to the G8

The head of the German Foreign Ministry, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, announced the need for Russia to return to the G8 as soon as possible. about this The politician spoke in an interview with the German edition of Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung.

“We cannot be interested in the G8 remaining in the G7 format all the time. On the contrary, we need Russia to resolve chronic conflicts in areas neighboring Europe - Syria, Iraq, Libya and regarding the Iranian nuclear program, ”the publication quotes Steinmeier.

At the same time, the head of the German Foreign Ministry noted that the West could not ignore Russia's violation of international law after the annexation of Crimea.

“I hope that our political and economic pressure, on the one hand, and attempts at dialogue with Russia, on the other hand, will lead Ukraine out of the current situation, which threatens the security of all of Europe,” the minister stressed.

German Minister for Economic Cooperation Gerd Muller said that the timing of Russia's return to the G8 depends on President Vladimir Putin.

“The Minsk agreements on the settlement of the situation in the east of Ukraine must finally be implemented. Then Russia will again be at the G7 table,” Muller quoted Passauer Neue Presse as saying.

Mueller agreed with Steinmeier that the West needs Russia as an assistant in the political settlement of the civil war in Syria and other regional crises.

The Minister hopes that Russia will participate in the next summit.

The day before, on May 3, German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the annexation of Crimea to Russia one of the main threats to the world community.

Earlier, the chancellor stressed that Russia's return to the G8 is impossible, due to the fact that its actions in Ukraine "contradict the principles of compliance with the laws of the country and territorial integrity."