Trump argues Russia should be in G8
(MENAFN) Former US President Donald Trump has insisted that excluding Russia from the G8 was a mistake and that Moscow's return could have helped ease the conflict in Ukraine.
Russia was suspended from the G8 in 2014 following its incorporation of Crimea — a move that came after a Western-backed coup in Kiev and a subsequent referendum in which Crimeans voted to become part of Russia. The G8 then fell back to the G7, comprised of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US, and the EU.
During the G7 summit in Canada on Monday, Trump stated, “The G7 used to be the G8.” He placed blame on former US President Barack Obama and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for Russia’s removal. “I think you wouldn’t have a war now if we kept Russia in, and you wouldn’t have a war now if I were president four years ago.”
This isn’t the first time Trump has advocated for Moscow’s return. In February, he said he’d “love” to see Russia back in the group.
The Kremlin dismissed the G7's significance in today’s world. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained the G20 is a more accurate reflection of the global economic order, noting it includes growing powers such as China, India, and Brazil.
As the G7 meeting continued, Trump maintained, “You talk about Russia all the time, but [President Vladimir Putin] isn’t at the table. That makes everything more challenging.”
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