German Minister Of Finance: Russia Will Not Be Accepted Again Joining G7

JAKARTA - Russia is said to be unacceptable to the Group of Seven countries as requested by US President Donald Trump.

This was conveyed by German Finance Minister Joerg Kukies to Reuters in an interview.

"The condemnation of the Russian aggression war by the G7 is very clear, especially on the threeth anniversary of Russia's brutal attack," said Kukies.

According to him, Trump's proposal would not get unanimous approval.

Kubies traveled Tuesday to Cape Town to attend a meeting of the G20 finance ministers, with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent not present due to a schedule conflict.

The current global economic condition will be the main topic of the meeting.

"We really need to restart the economic growth path," said Kubies.

"Germany has a lot of homework to do," he continued.

Kukies was appointed finance minister by Chancellor Olaf Scholz in November after the Scholz governing coalition collapsed, and will take office until a new government forms after Sunday's election, which was won by conservative group led by Friedrich Merz.

The trade war between the US and the European Union (EU) can be avoided because both sides are willing to negotiate, said Kubies.

"No one is interested in starting a trade war," he said.

The 27 EU member states could be the worst affected by Trump's reciprocal tariff plan that raises US import rates in accordance with tariffs and other levies imposed by other countries.

Kubies said the surplus of goods exported by the EU to America was almost offset by a US service surplus exported to Europe.

"If you add up both imbalances on the trade side, the results are quite small," he said.

Kubies said the G7 could discuss the old proposal to use frozen Russian state assets in Europe worth 300 billion for Ukraine's reconstruction.

"But the discussion has just started. Maybe it's too early to say," said Kubies.