France and Germany criticized Trump's proposal to reinstate Russia in the G7.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has ruled out the possibility of Russia rejoining the so-called "Group of Seven" (G7). Commenting on a proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump, he stated that, in the current realities, such a scenario is "unthinkable."

"What is the G7? It is an alliance of the most developed democracies. However, Russia is increasingly distancing itself from democratic principles and is pursuing an aggressive policy towards other G7 countries, including France, acting openly and cynically," Barrot noted in an interview with LCI.

In the minister's opinion, Russia could return to the G7 only if a "fair and lasting peace" is achieved in Ukraine.

"In the future, why not? The responsibility for this war lies with Putin. It is not the Russian people who started this war," Barrot said, adding that there could be "other diplomatic relations" in the future.

The G7 includes France, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, and Japan.

Previously, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that there is no place for Russia in the group of leading democracies.

"As G7 partners, we have repeatedly made it clear over the past three years of brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine: there can be no normal cooperation with this Russia, with Putin's Russia," she said.

Baerbock added that the situation will change only when this country returns to the path of peace along with everyone else and changes its "policy of aggression," emphasizing that it is now crucial to ensure a real end to the war in Ukraine with all guarantees, rather than just creating the appearance of it.

Previously, Trump advocated for Russia's return to the "G7" and called its removal from the group after the annexation of Crimea a "mistake." According to the American president, Putin also wants to be accepted back.

For its part, the Kremlin stated that Russia prefers to continue working within the G20, as "growth centers have shifted to other regions" of the world, and this format better reflects the "economic locomotive of the globe."

Background. Meanwhile, the former Foreign Minister of Lithuania emphasized that "Ukraine can no longer rely on U.S. assistance." He warns that the U.S. is discussing a partial withdrawal of troops from Europe while supporting movements aimed at splitting the European Union.