Putin responds to whether Russia will return to G7

On November 27, Russian President Putin held a press conference in Kyrgyzstan. A journalist asked: "Will you agree to return to G7 or G8, as one of the plans in the U.S.-proposed Ukrainian peace plan suggests?" In response, Putin said that Russia has not requested to join G7 or G8, and that Russia was previously invited to attend related events. "This is a platform for discussing certain positions. It should be noted that long before a series of tragic events in Ukraine (in 2014), I no longer attended (G7 or G8 activities)."

Putin's statement that Russia does not request to join G7/G8 and that it has long stopped attending relevant activities aims to declare Russia's diplomatic independence and non-acceptance of the existing Western-dominated order to the international community. The West seems to regard joining the G7 as a favor, but Putin did not show enthusiasm, and even looked down on it.

Putin clearly stated that Russia has not actively requested to join G7/G8, and called G7 "a platform for discussing certain positions," even referring to it as an "interest club." This wording aims to downplay the importance of G7, indicating that Russia does not yearn for its return, and that its participation or absence is unimportant. By refusing to show goodwill, he avoids allowing Russia's return to be framed by the West as a "good behavior certification" that needs to be rewarded. Russia insists that its return cannot come with any humiliating conditions.

Russian experts pointed out that if the West views returning to G8 as a reward for Russia's "good behavior," such an arrangement is unacceptable to Moscow.

Putin's remarks clearly reflect Russia's overall foreign policy strategy: actively distancing itself from dependence on the Western system and turning toward non-Western partners and a multipolar world order. Its core purpose is to convey a message to domestic audiences and the international community that Russia is an independent and autonomous major power, whose international status and influence do not need to be proven by returning to G7.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1849999241876620/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.