Berlin (AFP)
Angela Merkel and Boris Johnson rejected the idea of reinstating Russia at this stage in the G7 advanced notably by the United States.
The German chancellor has admitted some "slight movements" in the implementation of peace agreements in eastern Ukraine, during a press conference with his British counterpart in Berlin.
"If we were really making progress, then we would have a new situation," she said. But according to her "we have not yet advanced enough".
Boris Johnson, who made his first foreign visit to Germany since taking office, followed suit.
"I think quite like the Chancellor that the situation allowing a return of Russia in the G7 still needs to be realized," he said.
He cited the "provocations of Russia not only in Ukraine, but in many other places" and referred to the "use of chemical weapons on British soil", in Salisbury when a former Russian double agent and his daughter Yulia had fallen into a coma after being in contact with the nerve agent Novitchok in March 2018. Russia has always denied being involved.
French President Emmanuel Macron, for his part, ruled Wednesday in Paris "relevant that Russia can eventually join the G8" which it was excluded in 2014 after the invasion of Crimea.
Mr. Macron added: "The divorce was registered at the time of the invasion of Ukraine.The indispensable precondition" (to a readmission of Moscow) "is that a solution be found in connection with Ukraine on the basis of the Minsk agreements ".
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was in favor of returning to the G8 with the reinstatement of Russia, saying it was "much more sensible", without mentioning a prerequisite.
The topic will be discussed at a summit of G7 members (Germany, Canada, United States, France, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom) this weekend in Biarritz, in the south-west of France.
© 2019 AFP