Trump Revisits Russia’s Exit from G8, Labels It a ‘Big Mistake’
During the recent G7 summit in Canada, US President Donald Trump stirred international discourse by criticizing Russia’s removal from the Group of Eight (G8) back in 2014. He described the decision as a “big mistake” and suggested that if Russia had remained part of the group, the conflict in Ukraine could potentially have been avoided.
Trump's Perspective on Russia’s Involvement in Global Dialogue
Speaking alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump reminisced about when the G7 was originally the G8. He expressed that having Russia at the negotiating table might have deterred tensions, noting, “You wouldn’t have that war. You know, you have your enemy at the table. I don’t even consider, he wasn’t really an enemy at that time.”
Trump also pointed fingers at previous leaders, including former Canadian Prime Minister and former US President Barack Obama, for excluding Russia following its annexation of Crimea, attributing part of the blame to them for escalating geopolitical divides.
Sanctions Skepticism and Search for Diplomatic Solutions
Despite ongoing pressure, especially from Ukraine’s President, Trump signaled caution about extending or intensifying sanctions on Russia. He highlighted the heavy financial toll sanctions impose, remarking that they cost “billions and billions of dollars.” He also mentioned awaiting potential negotiations with Moscow before making further commitments.
Kremlin Echoes Trump’s Sentiments, Critiques G7’s Relevance
The Kremlin quickly responded, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov concurring that excluding Russia from the G8 was a misstep. However, Peskov also downplayed the significance of the current G7, citing its diminishing influence in global affairs. “Given the declining share of G7 countries in the world economy, the G7 looks dull and rather useless,” he stated.
Background: Russia’s 2014 Expulsion and Its Aftermath
Russia was expelled from the G8 in 2014 after annexing Crimea, reverting the group back to the G7. Trump’s recent remarks come just before a scheduled meeting with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been advocating for tougher US policies against Moscow.
Ongoing Trump-Putin Relations
In parallel, Trump maintains active communications with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their latest conversation reportedly included birthday wishes for Trump and discussions on wider geopolitical issues, such as the Iran-Israel conflict, underscoring the complexity and continuity of US-Russia dialogue.
