Trump Criticizes Russia’s Removal from G8

(MENAFN) United States Leader Donald Trump has criticized the decision to exclude Russia from the group of major Western economies formerly known as the G8, stating it was an error that may have contributed to the worsening of the Ukraine situation.

According to Trump, maintaining Russia’s involvement could have potentially prevented the conflict from escalating.

Russia became a member of the then-G7 in 1997, joining countries such as Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, along with the European Union which participates as a “non-enumerated member.”

However, Russia’s participation was halted in 2014 following Crimea’s reunification with the Russian Federation.

This development came after a referendum where Crimea voted to secede from Ukraine and rejoin Russia, which occurred in the wake of the Western-supported Maidan uprising in Kiev. Following Russia's suspension, the group reverted to the G7.

Trump voiced his views on the matter during the G7 Leaders’ Summit held in Canada on Monday, during his opening encounter with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

He reflected on Russia’s former status within the organization.

“The G7 used to be the G8,” he said, referring to an earlier version of the group. In his comments, he noted, “[Former US President] Barack Obama and a person named [former Canadian Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau didn’t want to have Russia in.”

Trump went on to state his belief that removing Russia was an error, asserting, “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.”

His remarks imply that diplomatic ties with Moscow, as well as his own leadership, might have deterred the ongoing hostilities.

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