RT.com
17 Jun 2025, 01:24 GMT+10
Excluding the country from the group of primarily Western major economies was a big mistake, the US leader has said
US President Donald Trump has called Russia's removal from the group of major Western economies (G8) a mistake, arguing that the country's presence could have helped prevent the escalation of the Ukraine conflict.
Russia joined the group originally known as the G7 in 1997. It includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US, and also the EU as a "non-enumerated member." Moscow's membership was suspended in 2014 following Crimea's reunification with Russia, upon which the G8 reverted to the G7. Crimea voted to leave Ukraine and become part of Russia via a referendum in the aftermath of a Western-backed Maidan coup in Kiev.
Trump made the remarks on Monday at the opening of the G7 Leaders' Summit in Canada, recalling that Russia had been part of the group before.
"The G7 used to be the G8," he said at his first meeting of the summit with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. "[Former US President] Barack Obama and a person named [former Canadian Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau didn't want to have Russia in."
"And I would say that that was a mistake, because I think you wouldn't have a war right now if you had Russia in, and you wouldn't have a war right now if Trump were president four years ago," he argued.
Trump repeatedly criticized Russia's exclusion and floated the idea of bringing Moscow back during his first term, though the proposal was rejected by other members.
In February, Trump once again said he would "love" to see Russia back in the group.
READ MORE: G8 has lost its relevance Kremlin
The Kremlin responded by saying the G7 has "lost its relevance" as it no longer reflects current global economic dynamics. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov pointed to the G20 as a more representative format, noting it includes fast-growing economies like China, India, and Brazil. "The G20 better reflects the economic locomotives of the world," he said.
Trump, who has been calling for a settlement to the Ukraine conflict, said at the G7 summit: "You spend so much time talking about Russia, and [Russian President Vladimir Putin is] no longer at the table," which he said "makes life more complicated."
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Calgary Monitor news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Calgary Monitor.
More InformationExcluding the country from the group of primarily Western major economies was a big mistake, the US leader has said US President...
Tirumala (Andhra Pradesh) [India], June 16 (ANI): Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday offered prayers at Tirumala...
New Delhi [India], June 16 (ANI): As pro-Khalistan protestors held demonstrations ahead of the G7 summit in Canada, Delhi Minister...
Nicosia [Cyprus], June 16 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up his visit to Cyprus and has now emplaned for Canada where...
(Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images) Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton was saddened to discover his car had run...
BRICS talks go on as missiles fall a Russian analyst shares what he saw and heard in the Iranian capital No panic. Everyone is just...
AHMEDABAD, WASHINGTON: An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people, crashed just after taking off from Ahmedabad airport...
Excluding the country from the group of primarily Western major economies was a big mistake, the US leader has said US President...
New Delhi [India], June 16 (ANI): As pro-Khalistan protestors held demonstrations ahead of the G7 summit in Canada, Delhi Minister...
Nicosia [Cyprus], June 16 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up his visit to Cyprus and has now emplaned for Canada where...
(Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images) Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton was saddened to discover his car had run...
Nicosia [Cyprus], June 16 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up the Cyprus leg of his three nation tour and has now emplaned...