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President Donald Trump has confirmed that he wants Russia to rejoin the G7, arguing that its expulsion was a mistake.
Some shit you should know before you read: Back in 1997, the Group of Seven (G7), an economic and political group of the world’s most advanced democracies, expanded to include Russia, forming the Group of Eight (G8). The purpose of the G8 was to promote discussions on global economic policies, security issues, and geopolitical stability among major world powers, including the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Russia. In 2014, Russia was removed from the group after it illegally annexed Crimea, a region of Ukraine, in a move widely condemned by the international community. The remaining member nations went back to the G7, citing Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty as incompatible with the group’s principles.
What’s going on now: While speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump reaffirmed his belief that Russia should be reinstated in the G7, arguing that its removal in 2014 was a mistake that may have contributed to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. “I’d love to have them back. I think it was a mistake to throw them out,” Trump said, stressing that Russia’s participation is necessary for global stability. He maintained that excluding Russia only worsened geopolitical tensions and reduced diplomatic engagement with Moscow. He said, “It’s not a question of liking Russia or not liking Russia… They should be sitting at the table. I think Putin would love to be back.”
He further claimed, “If they were [still in the G8], I don’t think you would have had the problem that you have right now.”
Trump’s call for Russia to rejoin the G7 has faced strong opposition from several member nations, particularly Canada and Germany. Canada has consistently rejected the idea, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau previously stating that Russia’s actions in Ukraine violate the principles that the G7 stands for. Germany has also opposed Russia’s return, emphasizing that Moscow’s ongoing occupation of Ukrainian territory and failure to respect international law make it unfit for reinstatement. Other G7 members, including the United Kingdom and France, have expressed skepticism, with French President Emmanuel Macron previously stating that Russia’s readmission would require significant political conditions, including progress toward resolving the war in Ukraine.
