"The G7 and former G8 group has always seen itself as a community of shared values," Merkel said, Ukrainian newspaper Ukrainska Pravda reported with reference to Reuters.
"The annexation of Crimea is a gross violation of the principles of international law, and the events in eastern Ukraine are a serious violation of these common values," the German chancellor said.
That is why there is no chance "at the moment" that Russia’s president will be invited to the summit of G7 in Bavaria in June, Merkel said.
Merkel also reiterated her position that Europe cannot consider lifting sanctions against Russia as long as the reasons for their introduction remain unresolved.
"In spring we will discuss how to deal with the sanctions that were put in place after Russia’s annexation of the Crimea," she said.
"Given the current situation, they will be retained.”
