Tatyana Firsova. Russia will be able to return to the " Big eight ", If you continue the interaction with the West on the Syrian Arab Republic and will be resolved If the Ukrainian conflict, said in an interview the German Minister of foreign Affairs of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

"If the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict we continue to be able to overcome obstacles successfully, and If Russia in the Syrian conflict continue, as until now, will be with us to work on a solution, the West will not and will not have the opportunity to be a long-term interest to exclude the Russian Federation from regular discussions between the leading Western powers ", - said the head of the Ministry.

"we've never had the interest to isolate the Russian Federation or for a long time to turn G8 into G7 ", - he added.

"Group of seven" was formally expanded to the G8 by Russia in 1998, however, actual participation in the negotiating format started previously. In 2014 the events in Crimea Authorized club decided not to participate in the G8 summit in Sochi, and met in Brussels. Russia in 2014 was held the chairmanship of the group of eight summit had to be held in Sochi.

The G7 told participants that do not wish to sit together with Russia as long as Moscow does not change its policy towards Crimea. Now the "Group of seven" are Germany, USA, Canada, Japan, France, UK, Italy. The leaders of these States met in Bavaria on June 7-8.

sections: Politics