"It turns out that none of the major international conflicts can be solved without Russia. We will see in a year if Russia maintains this constructive role and then there will certainly be a debate within the G7 (on Russia's return)," Steinmeier said.
"Russia’s return is possible," Steinmeier said ahead of the meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Japan's Hiroshima, Sputnik News reported citing German Zeit newspaper.
The top German diplomat expressed hope for the world powers to create conditions for Russia’s swift return to the group.
Russia walked out of the G8 group of the world’s largest economies after a rift with Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain and the United States over its alleged role in the conflict in Ukraine.