President Trump began the Group of Seven (G7) summit Monday in Canada by arguing it was a mistake to kick Russia out of the organization more a decade ago.
“The G7 used to be the G8. Barack Obama and a person named [former Canadian Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau didn’t want to have Russia in, and I would say that was a mistake, because I think you wouldn’t have a war right now if you had Russia in,” Trump said during his first meeting of the summit with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Trump has made similar comments in the past. Russia was booted from the group in 2014 for illegally annexing Crimea from Ukraine.
Russia in 2022 launched an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Trump and his administration have pushed for an end to the war, and while Russian and Ukrainian officials have met for direct talks, there has been little progress toward a ceasefire.
Trump spoke Saturday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, one of several talks the two leaders have held since Trump began his second term. Trump is expected to have a meeting while in Canada with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7. Trump has met Zelensky in person twice, once at the White House during a volatile bilateral meeting and another time at the Vatican.
Trump on Monday also signaled an openness to inviting China to be part of the G7 moving forward.
“I wouldn’t mind that,” Trump said of China’s inclusion. “If someone wants to suggest China.”
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