G8 likely to boot out Russia over Ukraine crisis

Russia is likely to be booted out of G8 over the Ukrainian crisis as the other seven members are considering to choose London as an alternative meeting place for a G8 summit planned in Sochi, sources from the German government were quoted by the media as saying Saturday.

Seven members of the G8, namely Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain and the US, are preparing for a meeting without Russia, Xinhua cited some media reports as saying.

The British government suggested London as an alternative meeting place for a G8 meeting that includes Russia and had been scheduled to take place in Russia's Sochi in June. Other G7 members expressed goodwill to the proposal, German government sources were quoted as saying.

Germany reportedly would also cancel the German-Russian government consultations planned to be held in Germany's Leipzig in April if Russia does not change its path in relation to the crisis in Ukraine's Crimea.

A spokesperson of the German government said Saturday that Germany, in agreement with other G7 countries, has suspended preparations for the G8 summit in Sochi, but said no other decisions has been made besides that.

German foreign ministry spokesperson declined to comment on the report.

The G7 as well as the European Council and the European Commission issued a joint statement March 2, blaming Russia's position on Ukraine and declaring suspension of their preparations for the Sochi summit.

On March 6, Crimea's Supreme Council decided to hold a referendum on March 16 on whether to join Russia or remain part of Ukraine as an autonomous republic.

Leaders of the G7 member states said Wednesday that they would not recognise the results of the referendum, according to a statement issued by the White House.