Putin says Russia not interested in returning to G7

Putin says Russia not interested in returning to G7

By Johnson Arua

Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed the idea of Russia rejoining the Group of Seven (G7), insisting Moscow has no interest in returning to the Western-led bloc.

Speaking during a visit to India on Thursday, Putin said the G7’s global economic relevance had been declining for years. His comments were quoted by broadcaster India Today and reported by Russian state news agency TASS.

The G7, comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the European Union as a participant, once included Russia, forming the G8. Moscow was expelled in 2014 after it annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula.

Putin noted that Russia’s admission to the group in 1998 was not based on economic strength but on its geopolitical relevance. He stressed that today, Russia sees “no need” to return.

The debate over Russia’s possible reinstatement resurfaced after a U.S.-backed proposal suggested inviting Moscow back as part of efforts to secure an end to the war in Ukraine.

However, the idea has faced pushback within the group. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz openly criticised the proposal, saying he does not believe G7 members are prepared to readmit Russia.

Putin also said the possibility of rejoining the G7 did not come up during recent talks in Moscow with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and former U.S. presidential adviser Jared Kushner, who visited to discuss new peace efforts.