Decision to Hold G7 Summit Without Russia Made by All Members - Berlin

The G7 comprises leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

BERLIN, June 3 (Sputnik) — The decision not to invite Russia to the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit, due to be held on June 7-8 in Bavaria, was made by all the participating states, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said Wednesday.

"This is not an assertion of the German government, but a decision of the Group of Seven. It is connected with Russia's actions in Crimea and Ukraine."

He added that "the decision was made by all G7 member states."

In 2014, the G8 format became the G7 when Moscow was suspended from the group by the other seven member nations over Crimea's reunification with Russia and Russia's alleged involvement in the Ukrainian internal conflict.

Leaders of the G7 agreed to hold a June 2014 summit in Brussels instead of the originally planed location of the Russian Olympic city Sochi.

Commenting on the matter, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that no one can exclude Russia from G8, as the group is an informal club bringing together world leaders to discuss the issues of mutual interest.