Updated

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper says Russia should never be allowed back in the Group of Seven as long as Vladimir Putin is president.

Harper said in an interview with The Associated Press Thursday that he expects the group won't ever let Putin back in. He made the remarks ahead of his trip to Ukraine and the Group of Seven meeting in Germany this week.

Harper says Russia has long eroded any basis for belonging to the group of wealthy nations. He also noted that Russia has ramped up long range bomber patrols near North American airspace. The G-7 suspended Russia last year but hasn't ruled out welcoming him back.

Harper says it would require consensus to "bring Russia back and that consensus will just not happen."