Russia is again rejecting calls from U.S. presidential hopeful John
McCain, who says he wants Moscow expelled from the Group of Eight
industrialized nations.
The likely Republican nominee has
twice in recent weeks called for Russia's expulsion from the so-called
G8 grouping. He told ABC television Sunday such a move would "improve
their [Russia's] behavior" on a wide range of issues.
Tuesday,
an unnamed Russian diplomat told Western reporters that McCain would
have to be elected president before Moscow would listen. He also said
Moscow is ready for "any development" in relations with Washington.
The
United States and Russia, under the leadership of former President
Vladimir Putin, have clashed over a number of foreign policy issues,
including U.S. plans to deploy a missile defense system in eastern
Europe. Sunday, McCain also accused Moscow of blocking action in the
United Nations Security Council against Tehran's suspect nuclear
program.
Earlier this month, new Russian President Dmitri
Medvedev said any attempt to expel Russia from the G8 would damage the entire world order.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.