Reuters reporting that German foreign minister Steinmeier has dismissed calls from the radical Left party to invite Russian President Putin to this year's summit of the Group of Seven nations to be hosted by Germany chancellor Merkel in Bavaria
The leaders of G7 nations held a summit without Putin last year in protest against Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region but Gregor Gysi, parliamentary leader of the Left party that includes some former East German communists, has argued that Russia was needed to help solve international crises and the G7 should therefore once again be expanded into the G8.
Steinmeier told the Die Welt newspaper published today:
It is not in our interests to isolate Russia in the long term. But after the illegal annexation of Crimea, we cannot just act as if nothing has happened and carry on 'business as usual'
He agreed it was desirable to get Russia more involved in helping resolve conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Libya, but insisted the G8 group remained closed for now.
The way back to the Group of Eight will come through respecting the unity of Ukraine and implementing Russian obligations in the Minsk (ceasefire) agreement
The sorry stand-off continues
Steinmeieir says ya-boo sucks to Putin and his own Left party
