“We need to talk not about intentions, but about form”: what are the conditions set for Russia to return to the G8

The question of a possible return to the G8 format with the participation of Russia supposedly could be the subject of discussion at the upcoming G7 summit, which will be held in the French city of Biarritz from August 24 to 26. This was stated by the "representative of the White House of the United States." At the same time, he noted that the leaders of the G7 countries will not vote on this topic, since the organization works on the basis of the general agreement of all parties.

“The question, as I understand it, was raised by France, and it is about when Russia can return there, if at all. We expect that the issue of participation or non-participation of Russia will be discussed by leaders, ”the source said, quoted by Reuters.

At the same time, he claims that Moscow did not formally make a formal request to return to the group, but this is necessary in order to accept it back.

Earlier, CNN, also referring to “sources” in the US presidential administration, said that Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron agreed to invite Russia to the next G7 summit in a telephone conversation. The corresponding proposal came from the President of France, with which his American counterpart agreed. Officially, both leaders consider the possible return of Russia appropriate. We add that the United States of America will become the host country of the association in 2020.

Meanwhile, a number of G7 countries are opposed to a possible return. So, Canadian Foreign Minister Hristia Freeland spoke about the “very clear position” of Ottawa regarding Moscow. According to her, Russia can be returned only if it confirms its commitment to the rule of law and democracy, that is, "it will leave Crimea and end the war in the Donbass."

Two other participants in the upcoming summit - German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson are also negative about the possible participation of the Russian Federation.

In addition, a senior source in European structures said that the European Union is also against the return of Russia until the reasons why the country was expelled from the G8 are eliminated. This position was criticized by the leader of the party "National Association" Marine Le Pen. According to her, the EU is demonstrating an “absurd parody of the Cold War”, and its anti-Russian ideology is “completely unproductive for the interests” of European states.

Along with this, the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky launched an anti-Russian campaign. First, through Facebook, he talked about the measures that Russia supposedly should take if it wants to “regain its place on the agenda of high diplomacy.” True, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, pointed out to him the incorrect use of the terms, and also recalled the obligation of Kiev to comply with the Minsk agreements.

However, the Ukrainian leader did not stop there - on Thursday, August 22, he held telephone conversations with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and European Council President Donald Tusk. Zelensky called on interlocutors to show decisiveness and oppose the possible return of Russia to the G8.

It is worth noting that despite such an active debate on this issue among the heads of other states, Russia itself is in no hurry to return to the G8 at all costs. As the presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov noted, a return to the former G8 is not an end in itself. At the same time, he emphasized that India and China do not participate in this format, and without them the discussion of international problems is not effective, and therefore Moscow is more interested in the G20 format.

In turn, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, speaking of statements regarding the possible return of the Russian Federation to the G8, called them frivolous in form. So things are not being done, she added.

“In this case, it is very important to hear and understand what the format itself wants, the“ seven ”itself, which its members can agree on, and then the relevant proposals should be made to the Russian side, if such proposals are on the table, and Russia considers them” - said Zakharova on the air of the program “60 minutes” on the TV channel “Russia 1”.

• Archival photo of June 8, 2018. A joint photo of the leaders of the G7 countries during the summit in Canada G7 Summit in the Charlevoix city of La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada, June 8, 2018.
• Reuters
• © Yves Herman

“G7 is boring without Russia”

On the issue of Russia’s returning to the G8, there is a “caveman approach of the West,” says Andrei Suzdaltsev, deputy dean of the HSE faculty of world economy and world politics. According to him, members of this club believe that Russia will take some first steps for it.

The Seven is a kind of body created not according to the level of economic development or GDP. The countries that make up the current “seven” consider themselves the pinnacle of democracy. That is, democracy is the main criterion for organization. Now it’s boring there without Russia. Boring is not only due to the fact that it is impossible to solve any global problems. We are serious mediators in solving the Iranian problem, indirectly involved in discussions of the current positions of China, Russia has a role in Europe, in Africa. Nothing can be decided without us. Now we have been offered some very cautious format. Nevertheless, we are not against participation, but on an equal footing, and not as a result of some kind of deal, ”Suzdaltsev emphasized in an interview with RT.

In turn, an expert at the International Institute for Humanitarian and Political Research, Vladimir Bruter, urges you to pay attention to your experience and not get involved in games hosted by the West.

“No return to the situation of 2012-2013 is already impossible, since the G7 discusses issues related to countering Russia. That is, Moscow is offered to be asked to participate in the discussion of issues related to countering Russia. There is no greater absurdity. The fact itself is quite revealing and well indicates that such attempts will continue further. It is important for Moscow in this situation to remain completely calm and detached from the fact that the West will invent, invent and try to impute Russia in order to use it later, ”he said in an interview with RT.