Lavrov says Russia does not need to return to the G8
In short
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on 20 October that Russia does not need to be readmitted to the G8. He spoke at a meeting with university graduates who were admitted to the diplomatic service for the first time.
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia does not need to return to the G8, TASS, RBC and RIA Novosti reported on 20 October. He made the remark at a meeting with university graduates who were admitted to the diplomatic service for the first time. RBC wrote that Lavrov said Russia had drawn the necessary lessons from the past. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to RIA Novosti, Lavrov said: 'Now they say that if it behaves well, then among other things sanctions will gradually be lifted and it will be returned to the "eight". We do not need this.' He said that after President Vladimir Putin's 2007 Munich speech Russia repeatedly offered the West to negotiate honestly, without being tied to Western formats. He described inclusion in the G7 as at best 'seven and a half', because Russia was not allowed into financial discussions and decisions. [ 3 ]
Lavrov also said that the lessons being drawn by the current generations of Russian politicians require a focus on 'Eurasianism'. He said some people claim the double-headed eagle on Russia's coat of arms looks left and right, but that it looks to the West and to the East. [ 3 ]
RIA Novosti added that Russia was part of the Group of Eight from 1997, and that in 2014, after the annexation of Crimea, Western countries suspended its participation in the work of the Group of Seven. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The remarks come from Russia's foreign minister and were reported by Russian outlets. The documents do not report any response from G7 countries.
Key facts
- Lavrov said Russia does not need to return to the G8. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He spoke at a meeting with university graduates admitted to the diplomatic service for the first time. [ 2 , 3 ]
- RBC reported Lavrov as saying Russia has drawn the necessary lessons from the past. [ 2 ]
- Lavrov said that after President Vladimir Putin's 2007 Munich speech Russia repeatedly offered the West to negotiate honestly, without being tied to Western formats. [ 3 ]
- Lavrov said inclusion in the G7 was at best 'seven and a half' because Russia was kept away from financial discussions and decisions. [ 3 ]
- RIA Novosti wrote that Russia was in the G8 from 1997 and that in 2014, after the annexation of Crimea, Western countries suspended its participation in the G7. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Who is saying that sanctions will be eased and Russia returned to the G8 if it behaves well. Lavrov referred to unnamed people saying this; the documents do not identify them.