Germany says G7 format is temporary

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that Russia could be re-admitted to the G7 after demonstrating its commitment to the Minsk Agreements. German Chancellor Angela Merkel added that Russia's absence from the G7 summit was necessary. She noted that the fights in the east of Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea by Russia broke the peace created after WWII.

Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of the Russia in Global Affairs magazine, said that the G8 age, lasting 15 years, is over, Russia's presence in the organization had been causing discomfort in the last years. Lukyanov believes that this will be the last summit at which the participation of Russia will be raised.

Professor Alexander Gusev, director of the Institute of Strategic Planning and Forecasting, noted that Steinmeier's words differ from Angela Merkel's positions. The professor reminded that Steinmeier had apologized in Volgograd on May 9 for the atrocities committed by German fascists. The expert noted that Germany will have elections soon, so the CDU and the CSU are more concerned about the future. Gusev said that the trade turnover between Russia and Germany was about $100 billion. The two countries, in his words, have 6500 joint ventures, with over 350,000 citizens working in each other's state.