Putin is ready to extend G8 by inviting Brazil, India, and China

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Russia joined G8 not so long ago, is presiding in it for the first time. We have our own full-fledged right of vote in resolving all issues, including the one of enlarging G8, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin said on July 16 at a press conference in Strelnya, St. Petersburg where G8 summit is taking place, REGNUM correspondent reported. “However, I do not find it correct to launch any initiatives at the moment,” he said.

According to Putin, if Russia’s G8 partners start a practical discussion of such an issue, Russia will support access into the organization of such countries as Brazil, China, and India.

The G8 summit convened in St. Petersburg on July 15. In the coming days, leaders of Russia, USA, Japan, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, France, and Canada, as well as the Chairman of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso and heads of invited states will hold a number of sessions and bilateral meetings.