Finance ministers from the Group of Seven industrialized nations will oppose the Russian government’s intention to become a full member and preside over the group’s economic policy deliberations next year, G-7 officials said.

Russia’s $533 billion economy, which is the world’s 16th largest, does not justify joining the ranks of the G-7, the officials said. Its government has also failed to implement policies on business investment encouragement, free markets and the rule of law, the officials said who did not want to be disclosed.

Russia is due to head the Group of Eight , including most politically powerful governments in 2006, enabling President Vladimir Putin to hold the annual summit of its leaders in Russia.

``Pushing for G-7 status is a great stretch for Russia, as it simply doesn’t deserve it,’’ Stuart Eizenstat, who served as deputy secretary at the State and Treasury departments under President Bill Clinton, said in an interview with Bloomberg. ``Russia’s economy is too small and isn’t free enough to merit membership, and it has drifted on democracy and reform.’’