Russia has no chances to return to G7 as long as issues of Crimea, Donbas exist – Maas
News Line
Ukraine reports 5,276 new COVID-19 cases Zelensky: Every third Ukrainian considers road construction one of greatest achievements of 2021 Ukraine ready to implement Minsk agreements, but Russia's desire needed - Yermak Michel: EU unanimously agree to roll over economic sanctions against Russia Actions by Ukraine's partners will help prevent worst-case scenario - Zelensky COVID-19 in Ukraine: Health officials confirm 8,899 daily cases as of Dec 17 Macron tells Zelensky he declared support for Ukraine in call with Putin Zelensky, Scholz discuss gas transit through Ukraine after 2024 Ukraine ready for any format of talks with Russia - Zelensky Ukraine’s only journalist in Russia facing extremism charges - lawyer PM Shmyhal: First two applications for investment projects worth $96 million filed Zelensky, PM of Italy discuss security situation around Ukraine President signs off State Budget 2022 London considering all options for responding to Russia's aggression against Ukraine Putin, Biden to hold another round of talks Some 260,000 Ukrainians “victims of human trafficking” over 30 years - prosecutor general Ukraine plans to create center to protect energy infrastructure from cyber attacks No clear idea so far when Normandy Four top diplomats set to meet - German Ambassador Ukraine receives EUR 600M in macro-financial assistance from EU Zelensky holds phone conversation with PM of Israel Ukraine sets new daily COVID vaccination record MFA: European Union has not yet removed Ukraine from list of safe countries Kyiv records 1,023 new COVID-19 cases, 29 deaths G7 ambassadors welcome adoption of law on NABU status Ukraine can increase Covid vaccination rates to 1.5M a week – Liashko

Germany opposes Russia’s return to the G7 until the end of annexation of Crimea and aggression in Donbas, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has said.
In an interview with Rheinische Post, he said: "Russia itself can make the greatest contribution to making these doors open."

Maas recalled that the reason for Russia's exclusion from the G8 was its illegal annexation of Crimea and aggression in eastern Ukraine.

“Until we have a solution, I do not see any chances [for the return of the Russian Federation to the G7],” the minister stressed.

Answering a journalist's question about whether Europe has written off Crimea’s issue, the German foreign minister said: “We cannot just shrug our shoulders and take into account that in the 21st century the borders in Europe are redrawn in such a way.”

“We are not sending signals to Moscow: after the situation in eastern Ukraine is settled, the Crimea issue will also be resolved,” Maas added.