German Finance Minister: Russia Will Not Rejoin G7 Despite Trump’s Proposal

German Finance Minister Jörg Kukies has stated that Russia will not be readmitted to the Group of Seven (G7), despite a proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump. In an interview with Reuters on February 25, Kukies emphasized that the G7 remains firm in its condemnation of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“The G7’s condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression is unequivocal, particularly as we mark the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion,” Kukies said, adding that Trump’s proposal would not achieve the required unanimity among G7 members.

The issue of Russia’s frozen sovereign assets was also discussed, with Kukies confirming that G7 finance ministers may revisit longstanding proposals to use the $300 billion in Russian assets currently frozen in Europe to support Ukraine’s reconstruction. However, he noted that discussions are still in the early stages.

Sources cited by Reuters suggest that Moscow may consider allowing the use of these frozen assets in a future settlement, on the condition that part of the funds be allocated to regions of Ukraine currently under Russian control.

Kukies, who was appointed finance minister by Chancellor Olaf Scholz in November following the dissolution of the ruling coalition, is set to continue in his role until a new government is formed after recent elections, where Friedrich Merz’s conservative party emerged victorious.

On Tuesday, Kukies will travel to Cape Town for the G20 finance ministers’ meeting, where global economic conditions are expected to be a central topic. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will not attend due to scheduling conflicts.

“We need to get back on a path of economic growth,” Kukies stated, acknowledging that Germany has significant internal challenges to address.

Earlier, Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine, Natalka Cmoc, stated at the Kyiv Security Forum that returning Russia to the G7 would be a mistake, emphasizing that the reasons for its exclusion after the 2014 annexation of Crimea remain unchanged. She reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to maintaining sanctions and strengthening measures to counter their circumvention.