German FM doesn't see swift Russian return to G7

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock says she cannot see Russia returning to the Group of Seven industrialized nations in the foreseeable future.

"It is of course very painful that Russia has excluded itself from this circle by annexing Crimea," the Green politician told Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) in Berlin.

"At the moment, it is not foreseeable when Russia will be able to return to this grouping – the current escalation does not make the situation any easier," Baerbock asserted.

The G-7 includes the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. Germany will take over the rotating chairmanship of the G-7 from Britain on Jan. 1.