According to a report by Russian satellite news agency on December 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he does not want Russia to return to the Group of Eight. In response to a related question in an interview with the Indian TV channel today, Putin said, “I don't want it.” He said that he actually stopped participating in the group's activities for a while back then. Putin also said, “Their share of the global economy is declining. This is an obvious fact, and we are all watching it. That's the trend, and it's going to continue.” Putin pointed out that the G7 is still an important platform, and its member states are doing certain things, discussing certain issues, and making decisions. Putin wishes them all the best. Putin said that he has stopped attending the G8 summit since a certain point; the reason has nothing to do with the situation in Ukraine. He said, “I repeat once again that I haven't attended the summit since a certain point, but this has nothing to do with the situation in Ukraine. This is related to another incident, and I won't reveal the details right now.”

According to a report by Russian satellite news agency on December 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he does not want Russia to return to the Group of Eight. In response to a related question in an interview with the Indian TV channel today, Putin said, “I don't want it.” He said that he actually stopped participating in the group's activities for a while back then. Putin also said, “Their share of the global economy is declining. This is an obvious fact, and we are all watching it. That's the trend, and it's going to continue.” Putin pointed out that the G7 is still an important platform, and its member states are doing certain things, discussing certain issues, and making decisions. Putin wishes them all the best. Putin said that he has stopped attending the G8 summit since a certain point; the reason has nothing to do with the situation in Ukraine. He said, “I repeat once again that I haven't attended the summit since a certain point, but this has nothing to do with the situation in Ukraine. This is related to another incident, and I won't reveal the details right now.”