Vladimir Dobrovolsky. The European Commission until not able to return to work with Russia in the G8 format, which member countries of the G7 suspended in the spring of last year because of the situation around Ukraine, said 1st Vice-President of the Commission Frans Timmermans.

"For the second consecutive year this group will meet without Russia. After the illegal annexation of Crimea, the G7 leaders decided to stop for some time, participation in the G8 until Russia changes course and the situation is such that the G8 will have the opportunity to engage in a sensible debate. This is patently not the case as long as, and a return to the format of the G8 is not on the agenda, " said Timmermans, presenting at the European Parliament, the agenda of the G7 summit, which will take place in Germany on June 7-8.

The European Union regularly participates in meetings of the G7, and the first nonstop participated in the G8 format.

Crimea and Sevastopol became the Russian regions After the 16 March 2014 referendum in which an overwhelming number of voters (96, 77%) with a turnout of 83, 1% were in favor of reunification with Russia. The corresponding agreement was signed on 18 March, it was approved by the State Duma and the Federation Council. They also adopted the Federal constitutional law on education of 2 new regions of the Russian Federation - Republic of Crimea and the Federal city of Sevastopol. The head of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has signed both documents.

sections: Politics