To the Question of the Seven

28

Info line


The discussion on the development of relations between Russia and the Seven was again updated against the backdrop of the upcoming Biaritstsa summit. An important informational reason for the revitalization of conversations was the statement by French President Emmanuel Macron, who advocated inviting Russia to the G7 summit in 2020. Moreover, US President Donald Trump agreed to support this proposal, as CNN reported, citing a senior White House official.





Russian experts once again began to discuss this issue, and in particular, the possibility of rapprochement and, probably, the general return of Russia to the “club”. However, here once again a kind of disease of “short memory and high expectations” manifests itself, which, alas, is so characteristic of domestic international affairs. Let us recall at least those reports on the establishment of relations with America that appear every time when elections are held in the United States or when summits take place. That's just the result, we continue to receive sanctions. The analogy with the "seven" in this case is extremely transparent.

Talk about a kind of “reset” of the relations went back to 2016, when German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier made the following statement: “I would not like the G7 format to be long-term, we need to create conditions for a return to the G8 format.” He also said: “Obviously, no serious international conflict can be resolved without the participation of Russia. Of course, a discussion will be held within the framework of G7 about when and on what conditions it is possible for Russia to return to the G8.

As we can see, no real shifts in the direction of rapprochement between Russia and the G7 countries have occurred, and in some aspects of interstate relations, cooling can be observed at all. In this regard, the question arises: maybe it’s enough to step on the same rake and stop waiting for some breakthroughs?

But first you need to understand what G7 is all about.

7 Club


It’s worth starting with the fact that the Seven is not at all another international organization. There is no international treaty in its foundation, and it also has absolutely no internal bureaucratic bodies such as the secretariat. In view of such an organization, the status of membership is absolutely conditional, that is, there is no document that would officially confirm the status of a power as a member of G7. All decisions that countries make during negotiations are purely advisory. Therefore, this is just one of many negotiation sites.

History of what is now known as G7 began in 1975 as a reaction to the first oil shock. The founding fathers of the G-7 were six, and soon (1976) there were already seven countries that were the largest importers of energy. At first, the United States, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Japan entered this club. As noted earlier, already in 1976, the representation of the Atlantic countries increased due to the inclusion of Canada.

Russian political scientist Aleksey Fenenko identifies two key stages in the history of G7. The first is energy, the second is the global agenda.

1th stage


The first summit was held on November 15-17 on November 1975 in Rambouillet. During the meeting, the countries, then the Six, adopted a joint declaration on economic issues, the leitmotif of which was the call for non-use of aggressive geo-economic measures, such as the establishment of trade barriers. In addition, the summit agenda included purely energy issues. So, there were three main areas of cooperation, among which, one can note the diversification of energy supplies; ensuring adequate prices for liquid hydrocarbons and, finally, the development of alternative energy.

Then a series of meetings were held, which were also devoted to energy issues. This continued until the 1980 year (Venice Summit of Seven). Already at the Venetian summit, the agenda was significantly expanded, so a resolution was adopted that condemned the entry of Soviet troops into Afghanistan. The following year, a summit was held in Montebello, where the leaders of the G7 countries adopted a declaration that directly touched on issues of international relations (the situation in the Middle East, arms buildup by the Soviet Union).

That is, initially, the club really was a platform for discussing issues related exclusively to energy and partly, economic problems. However, further the agenda of the Seven has undergone a number of significant changes.

2-th stage


Gradually, the Seven raised increasingly global issues. Among other things, meetings of the ministers of foreign affairs, finance and education of the “member countries” of G7 have become traditional. A. V. Fenenko described the tactics of expanding the agenda as follows: The Seven relied on the effect of addiction. Well, the Soviet Union and other states will not send protests to them every time! And so it happened: already by the 1985 year, the summits of the Seven began to be perceived as the norm. And no one asked a simple question: on what legal basis do the leaders of the “group of seven” consider themselves entitled to discuss the “global problems” of mankind? ” He also cites a very interesting allusion to one of the founders, the so-called English school of international relations, Hadley Bull, who introduced the dichotomy of world society and the world community. “He argued that the Seven is a world society, and the rest of the world is a world community.” The task of the “world society” is to pull the rest of the world under its own rules. This was not the official position of the Seven. But the fact that this club is discussing global issues shows that Bull caught his spirit well, ”Fenenko notes.

Who needs the "seven"?


Thinking in the tradition of realpolitik, which can be expressed in words, the authorship of which is attributed to Otto von Bismarck: “The only healthy foundation of a great state, and it only differs from a small state, is state egoism, not romance, and it is unworthy of a great power to fight for the cause , not related to one’s own interest ”, the author recalls Mayakovsky’s lines“ After all, if the stars are lit, then does anyone need this? ”and asks the question: who actually needs a similar format of interstate interaction I?

The leader of this club, in terms of overall political and economic potential, is very obvious, and the same country is the unspoken leader of NATO. Of course, we are talking about the United States. America, by and large, has always adhered to the maxim that the current president declares, namely, US interests above all else. So G7, in fact, was a tool for creating the political and economic line that is beneficial to America under the pretext of a consensus solution to the "civilized world." In addition, the Seven is a very good tool to keep abreast of the political strategy of the leading European powers, in particular France and Germany. Thanks to this format of relations, the likelihood that these strange people will begin to pursue a course for which American foreign policy is not ready is minimized.

Russia in the "seven"


At the Seven Summit in Naples in 1994, the new 7 + 1 format was first tested. This unit, as you know, was Russia. Recall that at that time, Yeltsin was president of Russia, and Andrei, “Russia has no national interests, but only universal interests,” Kozyrev was Russian president. So her invitation was a logical consequence of a pragmatic American policy, which thus dragged Russia into the orbit of its own influence.

Gradually, Russia returned what A. Kokoshin called “real sovereignty”, however, we continued to participate in the G8 summits, apparently hoping to lobby our agenda. Alas, to beat a cheater, playing honestly in his own game, the task is impossible. It didn’t work out with us either. In the 2014 year, Russia left this “club of interests” in view of the conduct of an adequate and in line with national interests foreign policy in Crimea.

In general, one can summarize the participation of the Russian Federation in G8 with the words of F. A. Lukyanov: “The period of stay in the G8 from 1998 to 2014 was a time of a certain positioning of Russia. Moscow saw its task in being inside the "collective West". At the first stage - to integrate as it is, at the second - to try to turn the West-centered international system into a more diversified one, acting as a representative of "others". Neither the first nor the second failed due to objective reasons. ”

I'll be back?


Is it possible for Russia to return to the “7 club”? Of course, such a turn of events cannot be completely ruled out, but such a scenario seems a little realistic. Strategic courses and an understanding of the national interests of the Russian Federation and the G7 countries diverge quite strongly.

All the high-profile statements of Western leaders about the return of Russia should rather be perceived as some kind of intelligence, are we ready to make some concessions in accordance with the conditions that may be put forward to us. Also, politicians making such statements largely work for their personal image, earning themselves political points. One can regard the casting of such bridges as an attempt by specific people to act as "goodwill ambassadors" who, as it were, give a hand to the "civilized world." Of course, nothing is hidden behind this except selfish interests.

Does Russia Need a Seven?


Despite the fact that the author considers the possibility of the return of the Russian Federation to G7 unlikely, it is worth asking another, much more important question: but, in fact, why should we return there? Participation in a fairly large number of international organizations (G7 is not an organization, but the recommendatory nature of decisions, in this context, equalizes them) does not give us any tangible political and geopolitical dividends. The closest example is PACE.

Russia does not feel any need for this format. Firstly, we can conduct a dialogue within the framework of G20, the political benefit of which is much higher. Russia can use the G20 platform to develop its own soft and, in part, acute force. Due to the greater inclusiveness of G20, we can intensify the development of our own metanarrative, the same “multipolarity”, which can be interpreted as the “globalization of antiglobalism”. With the right tactical maneuvers, Russia, thus, can form an alternative to Western hegemony project, thereby increasing its geopolitical influence.

Secondly, you need to learn from the best. Trump purposefully pursues a policy of conducting bilateral relations as opposed to international organizations, since real-life policy issues are resolved, first of all, during the course of bilateral high-level meetings.

Russia should approach every issue of world politics from the standpoint of absolute pragmatism and make decisions based on the principle of its own benefit. G7 is no exception.
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28 comments
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  1. +10
    23 August 2019 15: 04
    This Membership - was offered to “crooks” for the collapse of the Great Country!
    Is It For Us? request
    1. +7
      23 August 2019 15: 12
      They decided to seat them at the poker table, but will the other players have an additional discarded card? belay
      Russia needs to weigh well all the pros and cons before sitting on the "electric chair" prepared by the "partners" ...
      1. +9
        23 August 2019 15: 18
        Quote: ROSS 42
        They decided to seat them at the poker table, but will the other players have an additional discarded card?
        Russia needs to weigh well all the pros and cons before sitting on the "electric chair" prepared by the "partners" ...

        We have already sat down on this chair more than once .. The WTO is the latest vivid example ... Our managers are too dependent on the recognition of their activities as "partners" ..
        1. +1
          24 August 2019 20: 27
          Putin and Co. really want to get at least some attention from Western leaders, it resembles an unloved wife who constantly seeks out her husband and expects affection from him.
      2. 0
        23 August 2019 15: 28
        Quote: ROSS 42
        Russia needs

        Build "your own game table" for these games! Games of your choice: at least a flip, at least a preference, but on condition that the cards are ours and we deal !!!
        1. 0
          29 August 2019 15: 27
          Quote: Tol100v
          that our cards and we hand over !!!

          Come on ... both the table and their cards, and let them hand over as they want. It is enough to be able to play according to your rules. And let them hand over and shuffle ... hand over and shuffle))
    2. +6
      23 August 2019 15: 46
      The main question: why was the topic of G8 raised, the return of Russia to the G7? The best answer to the question is history.
      1. Yeltsin was eager to join the G7 and, thanks to his "best friend" B. Klintor, Russia joined the G7. What is the result of this introduction? The most obvious: you can sit on the edge of a chair and wait for someone to call you.
      2. Events of 2014 in Ukraine. The return of Crimea to Russia. At the mattress-beds they pulled out of the mouth, from the teeth, the most tasty morsel, which they were about to chew and swallow. As a result, an attempt to humiliate Russia at a summit in Australia, and then refusing to come to the next G7 summit. Immediately on this occasion, the greatest whine rose in the impudent Saxon press: Russia is humiliated, Russia must repent, Russia must be punished.
      And now the bottom line: Russia returns to the G7 and transforms it into the G7 + with an attempt to sit on an adjoining chair in the hallway as under Boris Yeltsin. The continuation of a policy independent of the insolent Saxons immediately leads to problems: Russia will certainly be shown that it is behaving incorrectly, "not constructively", must correct itself, must return Crimea to Ukraine, Sakhalin and the islands of Japan, give Denmark all its northern coast, leave Syria, Venezuela, Nicaragua, etc., etc. Russia does not agree and declares that it does not live under dictatorship, Russia is a free sovereign country and is guided by its own interests in making decisions on this or that issue. As a result, Russia will be punished again: they will not be invited to lunch, dinner, or another meeting, they will not come to the next summit, etc. Again in the "free" press there will be a howl about the punishment of Russia.
      Hence the question: do we need all this? The answer for any citizen of Russia, not a traitor to the homeland, namely a citizen, is obvious: Russia does not need this at all.

      [b] People-State-Fatherland [/
      b] - this is the slogan of every patriot of Russia. A strong state, a united people, a prosperous country for centuries, which cannot be broken by internal and external enemies.
      1. +1
        23 August 2019 18: 02
        Quote: The Truth
        Hence the question: do we need all this? The answer for any citizen of Russia, not a traitor to the homeland, namely a citizen, is obvious: Russia does not need this at all.

        And I suggest not to refuse, but for technical reasons, "dasmorg" at a person of the required level, send a competent person, but at a lower level.
  2. 0
    23 August 2019 15: 15
    The founding fathers of the G-7 were six, and soon (1976) there were already seven countries that were the largest importers of energy. At first, the United States, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Japan entered this club. As noted earlier, already in 1976, the representation of the Atlantic countries increased due to the inclusion of Canada.
    Well, why should an oil exporter country enter into a fight between importing countries? Moreover, all these countries "bend" more or less the same political line, which basically contradicts the interests of Russia. It's better to communicate with each one individually - less opposition.
  3. +3
    23 August 2019 15: 17
    Somewhere already it was written that the G-7 is the USA + its sixes.
    Russia in the sixes did not want to go and was quickly kicked out of there.
    Now, again, in the six call from Benderokanadsky Christy claims to listen to the Crimea to listen?
    The main goal is to prevent Russia from conspiring.
    There is a G-20, there is the SCO. Enough
  4. +1
    23 August 2019 15: 23
    I think this is a planned provocation. They will call, and when Putin agrees and is ready to come, he will be flown for some reason. What kind of suit will Byak or something else. They want to omit.
    1. 0
      23 August 2019 15: 29
      Putin will not come, he said, if you want to come, come, we will meet. If you want to invite, fill out the application in full form, and we will consider ... on time for this.
  5. +1
    23 August 2019 15: 25
    In fact, the format is "1+ 6" (one plus six), i.e. in the "seven" there are "sixes". After increasing the format, the "sixes" will go nowhere.
  6. +3
    23 August 2019 15: 35
    Rembrandt - "The return of the return of the Russian Federation to the G7"
    1. -1
      24 August 2019 20: 30
      Alexey is well done, the picture is right in the eye, not the eyebrow, only the picture is cropped from below, bare heels should be visible there, if they were visible, the effect would be more deafening.
  7. +4
    23 August 2019 15: 38
    The book "Parkinson's Law" also contains the following observations:

    Cabinet Life Cycle
    The life cycle of an office consists of several stages:

    The ideal number of members is five. With such a numerical composition, the cabinet will certainly take root. Two of its members can always be absent due to illness or another reason. Five are easy to assemble, and having gathered, they are able to act quickly, skillfully and quietly. Four of them can be entrusted with finance, foreign affairs, defense and justice. The fifth, not well versed in these subjects, will become chairman or prime minister.

    The five are Russia, China, India, the European Union and (Iran, Brazil, South Africa - in turn)
    1. -1
      29 August 2019 15: 32
      Quote: bzbo
      The five are Russia, China, India, the European Union and (Iran, Brazil, South Africa - in turn)

      And who is the fifth here?))
  8. +1
    23 August 2019 15: 40
    There are a lot of articles on VO about the notorious USA and its sixes. Why are they imposing this gathering on us for discussion? What is the use of our participation in the gangway? They called a meeting at the UN and became "guilty" there. Is there any point in getting into these PACE, G7, etc.?
  9. +3
    23 August 2019 15: 49
    "The wolf and the seven kids, and the kids are a verb" from KVN inspired))))
  10. -1
    23 August 2019 17: 00
    Nobody will return Russia anywhere.
    She has been positioning herself as an enemy of Euro-American civilization for 12 years.
    Russia was heard, and now its next new rout is just getting ready
  11. +2
    23 August 2019 17: 58
    I repeat:
    Вчера: Does Russia need a return to the G8?
    We were thrown out of the eight because of the Crimea. The condition for our return is recognition of Crimea as Russian.
  12. 0
    23 August 2019 19: 05
    Quote: ANIMAL
    Is It For Us?

    Come on! If they ask to return, set conditions. What kind? Various. For example, America must repent for the "Maidan." wink
  13. +2
    23 August 2019 20: 07
    Hmm, how many words, but how little "pragmatism". (Pragmatism is one of Putin's favorite words.)
    Well, why did we return to PACE? So we'll be back in the G8 too. After all, these "gangways" fly at the expense of the state, there is an opportunity to "bail" with the type of "tough guys who will not hesitate to dine at the same table" ...
    Our "ilits" by hook or by crook, even in the "sic" position, but want to enter the "golden billion", although their "pig snouts" in the "world kalashny row" are not needed by anyone, but they do not think so ...
  14. +1
    23 August 2019 21: 52
    "The first summit took place on November 15-17, 1975 in Rambouillet. During the meeting of the country, then the" six ".

    Are they there, in the "throw-in cut"? A good start is not a “six”.
  15. -1
    24 August 2019 10: 22
    Something the invitation of the Russian Federation to G7-G8 is like paying for the right to sit at a dinner at the same table with some famous artist / politician. Loch pays huge sums of money and he is allowed for this at the table ... Russia does not need such an invitation ... Even for free. And even more so on the terms that are voiced ... IMHO
  16. +1
    24 August 2019 10: 46
    And what is there to do without the complete lifting of sanctions from our country? Foreign policy in the GXNUMX is US policy. There are no two-way connections with them, and all the other members look into their mouths.
  17. +1
    25 August 2019 00: 03
    Everything is true about pragmatism and self-interest in the G7 or G8. Only now does not leave the feeling that our politicians and diplomats, as always, are overcome by the desire to be cloakroom attendants in the hotel. They strive there at any cost, no matter in what quality. From the outside, all this looks humiliating and stupid. But our top officials so passionately hope to find themselves there, I don't know where, that they don't care. And in Russia then they say: "Here, admire how we lit there!" By their obsequiousness, they show the inner essence of themselves, disavow their pettiness and damage the prestige of Russia. They are "hares" in someone else's bus, and are happy about it from the bottom of the heart. But in China, they think quite differently. From there, no one asks for someone else's bus or hotel. For a summit, so to speak. What for? Isn't it easier to found your own club and sell admission tickets there? This, of course, is not easy, but still better than freezing at the gate near the doorman. So friends will stop talking about the highest level. Try to gain respect for yourself, and then shoot abroad.
  18. 0
    26 August 2019 17: 09
    Not far ...
    1. First, I would wait for an official invitation. On paper, "signed and sealed". And in no case through proclamations in social networks, which the adversaries practice so zealously.
    2. Then I would read the agenda. And if the agenda is not ice (it is not of interest), then I would thank and .... talked to come to the next.
    3. If Agenda is Hood, then I would come. And from the threshold I would say that coming to next time will also depend on the agenda.
    In general, things are not so simple in world diplomacy and international relations. A lot of nuances ... For example, even a short "arrival of an unexpected guest at a corporate party can break such a party into a hundred little bears." Easy! Not so simple...

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