Putin Says U.S. Did Not Invite Russia to Rejoin G7

President Vladimir Putin stated on Friday that the United States did not extend an invitation for Russia to rejoin the Group of Seven (G7) leading economies. He made the comment while describing his recent talks with a visiting U.S. delegation. Putin said the issue of Russia's potential return was raised during the meeting. However, he clarified that the American representatives did not present a formal invitation. The Russian leader also noted that other international platforms for dialogue are now "taking shape." This suggests a shift away from reliance on traditional Western-dominated groups like the G7. Russia was suspended from the group, then known as the G8, in 2014 following its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. The G7 members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.