Pressed on why Mr Jarvis suggested that Russian membership of the G7 was up for discussion during the morning broadcast round, the spokesman said: “The security minister was referring to the fact we are at the very beginning of a potential peace process and he was talking more broadly about the fact that talks are happening on a wide range of measures relating to Russia and Ukraine.”.
Asked if the UK could allow Russia back into the G7 while it still holds on to Crimea, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Our position on this, I am not going to get ahead of the talks that are ongoing.
He insisted the UK “position on the G7 just hasn’t changed”, adding: “We can’t countenance Russia joining the G7 whilst it has got illegal forces in Ukraine.
Speaking to broadcasters on Monday morning, security minister Dan Jarvis appeared to suggest there could be a path back into the forum for Russia as part of the talks to broker peace in Ukraine.
Speaking to Times Radio, the security minister had earlier said Russia rejoining the G7 would be “a matter to be discussed with international allies”.
