“The so-called extended seven as an idea is flawed, because for us it is not clear how the authors of this initiative plan to consider the Chinese factor,” TASS quotes him.
According to him, in the modern world it is “simply impossible” to conduct a discussion without China.
He also commented on the statements of US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan about discussing the “acceptable role for Russia” during the expanded G7 summit.
“We have not held any discussions of this kind and are not conducting,” Ryabkov said.
According to him, Sullivan’s statement is “rather strange” and “to put it mildly, raised questions” from the Russian side.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the decision on the possibility of inviting Russia to the G7 should be made by US President Donald Trump.