Merkel considers Russia's return to the G8 unimaginable.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that no G8 meeting with Russia should take place while Moscow fails to uphold basic shared values of democracy and rule-of-law states; "The events in Ukraine are the reason why we will meet in Elmau as a Group of 7 and not a Group of 8," she said; "Russia's actions in Ukraine are incompatible with that. Returning to the G8 format is unimaginable while Russia does not act in accordance with these basic values," she added.
Reuters - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday that no G8 meeting with Russia should take place as long as Moscow fails to uphold basic common values of democracy and rule-of-law states.
"The events in Ukraine are the reason why we will meet in Elmau as a Group of 7 and not a Group of 8," Merkel said in a speech to Parliament, referring to the meeting of officials in Bavaria next month, without the participation of Russia.
"We see the G7 as a community of values. And that means working together for freedom, democracy and the rule of law. That means respecting the laws of countries and the territorial integrity of nations."
Merkel added: "Russia's actions in Ukraine are not compatible with this. Returning to the G8 format is not conceivable as long as Russia does not act in accordance with these basic values."