Ukraine Against Russia's Return To G8

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has opposed the idea of Russia's return to the G8.

"Since March 2014, when Russia was suspended from the G8, nothing has changed. The Ukrainian Crimea is still occupied, the Ukrainian Donbas is still suffering from the war," Zelensky tweeted early Thursday.

His remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump gave a green light to Moscow's return to the group of the world's top eight economies -- consisting of the U.S., the U.K., Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

Russia was suspended from the G8 in 2014 due to its annexation of Crimea as well as its political and military support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.

"Returning Ukraine's occupied Crimea, cessation of hostilities in Donbas & releasing over 100 political prisoners & Ukrainian sailors that Kremlin currently holds would signal the world that Russia can be allowed back to its place at the top table of the global diplomacy," Zelensky said.

He also thanked countries that have supported Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Relations between Kiev and Moscow broke down after Russia annexed Crimea following an illegal independence vote in 2014.

Along with the UN, the U.S., the EU and Turkey do not recognize Crimea as Russian territory. -