During the latest G7 meeting, Donald Trump reignited tensions by suggesting that Russia's expulsion from the group in 2014 was a critical error that contributed to the current war in Ukraine. He blamed previous leaders for the decision and expressed that involving Russia would have led to different outcomes.
Trump Advocates for Russia's Return to G7 Amid Ukraine Conflict
Trump Advocates for Russia's Return to G7 Amid Ukraine Conflict
In a controversial statement at the G7 summit, former President Trump argues re-inclusion of Russia could have prevented ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
June 16, 2025, 9:30 p.m. ET
At a time when discussions surrounding global trade and international conflicts were at the forefront, Donald Trump’s attention was captured by the subject of President Vladimir Putin and Russia's role in world affairs. Speaking at the G7 summit in Calgary, Alberta, Trump stated, “The G7 used to be the G8,” reflecting on the decision to remove Russia from the group after its 2014 actions in Ukraine.
Trump argued that including Russia in the alliance might have mitigated the violence in Ukraine, mistakenly attributing the expulsion to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rather than Stephen Harper. “I would say that was a mistake," Trump insisted, implying that without the rift, there might not be the military crisis currently unfolding.
This statement echoes Trump's previous contentious interactions with the G7, particularly during the last summit held in Canada in 2018 when he proposed Russia’s return to the fold, a suggestion that left other leaders troubled and ignited a significant division within the group. Trump’s consistent stance on promoting dialogue with Russia places him at odds with many of America's traditional allies, who express skepticism about Putin's intentions and the potential implications of such a re-engagement.
As the geopolitical landscape remains fraught with tension, Trump’s calls for a more conciliatory approach toward Russia continue to provoke discussion around the complexities of international diplomacy and conflict resolution.
At a time when discussions surrounding global trade and international conflicts were at the forefront, Donald Trump’s attention was captured by the subject of President Vladimir Putin and Russia's role in world affairs. Speaking at the G7 summit in Calgary, Alberta, Trump stated, “The G7 used to be the G8,” reflecting on the decision to remove Russia from the group after its 2014 actions in Ukraine.
Trump argued that including Russia in the alliance might have mitigated the violence in Ukraine, mistakenly attributing the expulsion to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rather than Stephen Harper. “I would say that was a mistake," Trump insisted, implying that without the rift, there might not be the military crisis currently unfolding.
This statement echoes Trump's previous contentious interactions with the G7, particularly during the last summit held in Canada in 2018 when he proposed Russia’s return to the fold, a suggestion that left other leaders troubled and ignited a significant division within the group. Trump’s consistent stance on promoting dialogue with Russia places him at odds with many of America's traditional allies, who express skepticism about Putin's intentions and the potential implications of such a re-engagement.
As the geopolitical landscape remains fraught with tension, Trump’s calls for a more conciliatory approach toward Russia continue to provoke discussion around the complexities of international diplomacy and conflict resolution.
