Kremlin Supports Trump's View on Russia's G8 Expulsion
The Kremlin has echoed former US President Donald Trump's opinion that Russia's removal from the G8 in 2014 was a significant error. However, Russian officials emphasized that the current G8 format no longer holds much significance for Russia, dismissing the G7 as largely ineffective.
Trump Criticizes Past Leaders Over Russia's Exclusion
During his recent comments at the G7 summit, Trump openly criticized the administrations of Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for pushing Russia out of the forum, which then reverted to the G7. He branded the exclusion a “serious mistake” and suggested that if he had been president at the time, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine might have been avoided.
“The G7 used to be the G8. About nine years ago, Russia was excluded, something I believe was a serious mistake. Back then, leaders like Barack Obama and Justin Trudeau didn’t want Russia involved, but had Russia remained at the table, perhaps we wouldn’t be facing a war today. If I was the president 4 years ago, we would not have a war right now,” Trump stated.
Recent Phone Call Between Trump and Putin Touches on Regional Tensions
On Saturday, Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation addressing several pressing international issues. The two leaders agreed on the urgency of resolving escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. Although Ukraine was not the main focus, they briefly discussed ongoing prisoner exchanges and the possibility of reviving peace negotiations after June 22.
G7’s Relevance Questioned
The Kremlin dismissed the contemporary G7 format as “useless” for Russia, highlighting the diminished role the group plays in global diplomacy from Russia’s perspective. Since Russia’s exclusion, the G7 has focused on a narrower coalition that no longer includes some key global players.
Context Behind Russia’s G8 Expulsion
Russia's removal came in response to its annexation of Crimea in 2014, which sparked widespread international condemnation and sanctions. The decision to suspend Russia fundamentally altered the group’s dynamics and relations between Russia and Western countries.
Looking Ahead
While the Kremlin’s agreement with Trump’s critique signals a shared view on diplomatic missteps, the path forward for reintegrating Russia into influential global forums remains uncertain amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.