The "Group of Seven" countries announced that Moscow's diplomatic efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine will influence their decision regarding new sanctions against Russia. This statement was published on the website of the German Foreign Office on Saturday, February 15.
Any new sanctions after February should be linked to whether the Russian Federation undertakes real de-escalation efforts to end the war against Ukraine, ensuring Ukraine's long-term security and stability as a sovereign independent state, according to a document from the heads of the foreign ministries of the United States, Germany, France, Italy, Great Britain, Canada, and Japan. They met at the Munich Security Conference.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on February 13 that he would advocate for the return to the "Greater Eight" format with Russia's participation, which existed in G8 from 1997 to 2014. After the annexation of Crimea, cooperation continued in the "Greater Seven" format.German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock spoke out against Trump's proposal to return to the G8 with Russia. However, the head of German diplomacy noted that "if we all return to the path of peace and this policy of aggression changes, then it will, of course, mean that we can again offer cooperation in the most diverse areas."