Donald Trump proposes turning G7 into G8 or G9 with Russia, China, calls 2014 expulsion a major mistake by Obama, Trudeau
Donald Trump said at the G7 Summit that Russia¡¯s removal from the group in 2014 was a big mistake and proposed turning the G7 into G8 or G9. He also said China¡¯s inclusion wouldn¡¯t be a bad idea and suggested Russia¡¯s absence complicates global talks.
Speaking on the opening day of the G7 Summit on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that the grouping be expanded by including Russia and China. He proposed that the Group of Seven could become the G8 or even the G9. The G7 is currently composed of democracies, and both Russia and China are authoritarian governments.
Trump reiterated his opinion that removing Russia from the G8 in 2014¡ªafter it annexed Crimea¡ªwas a misstep. He stated, ¡°The G7 used to be the G8. Barack Obama and a person named Trudeau didn't want to have Russia in,¡± referring to the former U.S. president and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trump added that Stephen Harper was actually the Canadian PM when the decision was taken.
Linking Russia¡¯s conclusion to the Ukraine conflict
Trump emphasized that Russia¡¯s expulsion might have contributed to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. ¡°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,¡± he said. He maintained that while he was not in politics when Russia was removed, he still believes ¡°it was a very big mistake.¡±
He also said that excluding Vladimir Putin from such international discussions has made things more difficult. ¡°Putin is no longer at the table, so it makes life more complicated,¡± Trump commented.
Donald Trump | Credit: X
Suggests China¡¯s inclusion is open for discussion
When asked by a reporter about the idea of adding China to the group, Trump responded that it was ¡°not a bad idea.¡± He said he wouldn¡¯t mind if China were brought in, adding that direct dialogue between global leaders at summits is essential. ¡°Putin speaks to me. He doesn't speak to anybody else,¡± Trump said, suggesting that Putin took Russia¡¯s removal as a serious personal insult.
Trump made these remarks after his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is currently hosting the summit at Kananaskis, located in the Canadian Rockies.
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Nancy Jaiswal is a journalist who started her career in reporting and has covered both hard and soft news. From serious city news developments to lighthearted lifestyle pieces, she has written on almost everything hapenning in India (except maybe alien invasions¡ªyet!). For her, writing isn¡¯t just work; it¡¯s a passion, an obsession, and sometimes the reason she forgets to reply to texts.
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