Russia has announced its intention to permanently walk away from the G8 group of industrialised nations - more than two years after it was kicked out over the illegal annexation of Crimea.

Moscow said it had no intention of re-joining the influential bloc – which brings together the world’s richest countries to discuss global issues from economic growth to terrorism - even if it was invited to do so.

Russia’s involvement in the G8 was “not being discussed in Moscow in any way", said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

The country was temporarily suspended from the bloc – which includes the UK, US, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada – in March 2014. Since then, the G7 has met in its place.

Economy and security to dominate G7 summit in Japan

At the time US President Barack Obama’s security adviser said there was “no need for the G7 to engage with Russia” while Moscow continued to violate international law.

Announcing Russia's intention to leave permanently, Mr Peskov said Vladimir Putin’s priority was now the G20 - a much wider group of countries which includes emerging economies such as Brazil and Mexico as well as Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

He said: “We’ve not heard the heads of state that keep gathering for G7 meetings ever say anything that might sound like an intention to invite Russia or some other countries.

"As far as Russia is concerned, regardless of any eventual proposals and invitations, Russia’s priority is participation in the G20.

"The Russian president has said this more than once.”

Loading....

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev went further and suggested the G7 and G8 were now defunct political organisations.

"The G20 format actually replaced the G7 and G8 groups," he said. "It is clear what this Group of Seven means without other major economies. Nothing.”

He also hinted that Russia may try and forge new links with other nations that may exclude the traditional Western power brokers.

Mr Medvedev said: “We are determined to develop international trade, establish our own value chains and be more actively involved in international business alliances and agreements.”

However, Italy’s foreign minister attempted to strike a more conciliatory tone earlier in the week, saying he hoped Russia would soon re-join the G8.

G8 leaders take part in the second Plenary Session of the G8 summit at Lough Erne on June 18, 2013 (Getty)

Including Russia in the bloc would reduce East-West tensions and help end “the atmosphere of the Cold War”, Angelino Aliano said.