EU balks at adding Russia back into G7
WASHINGTON, June 2 (Reuters) - The European Union views the Group of Seven format as a vital multilateral framework that cannot be changed on a permanent basis by the chair of the group, currently the United States, an EU spokesman said on Tuesday.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday dismissed the G7 as a "very outdated group of countries" and said he would expand the list of invitees to include Australia, Russia, South Korea and India.
"Russia´s participation in the G8 has been suspended until Russia changes course and the environment allows for the G8 to again have a meaningful discussion. This is not currently the case," the spokesman said. Russia was ejected from the group after annexing Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
