Russia's participation in G8 hasn't been suspended, the official representative of French Foreign Ministry, Romain Nadal said at a briefing on March 18, RIA Novosti reported.
Nadal was commenting on the French Foreign Minister's statement on France's Europe-1 radio station that Russia's participation in G8 has been suspended.
"The minister only recalled what we have already talked about: it was earlier adopted a collective decision within G7/G8 about suspending the preparation to the summit that was to be held in Sochi," Nadal said at a briefing on March 18.
On March 18 Russia and Crimea signed an agreement on Crimea, as well as Sevastopol city joining the Russian Federation.
The vast majority of residents of Crimea - 96 percent - voted to secede from Ukraine and join Russia, in a referendum held March 16.
With the exception of Russia most countries refused to recognize the referendum and its results.
A change of power took place in Ukraine on Feb.22.
The Verkhovna Rada (parliament) ousted President Viktor Yanukovych from the power, changed the constitution and scheduled presidential elections for May 25. Yanukovych said that he was forced to leave Ukraine under the threat of violence, and he remains the legally elected head of state. A number of provinces in eastern and southern Ukraine, as well as the Crimea did not recognize the legitimacy of the Rada and decided on possibility of holding a referendum on the future fate of the regions.
Translated by L.Z.
Edited by C.N.