Trump claims G8 exclusion of Russia led to Ukraine war
- During a press conference in Canada, Trump criticized the decision made in 2014 to exclude Russia from the G8 following its annexation of Crimea.
- He claimed that if Russia had remained in the G8, the current war between Russia and Ukraine would not exist.
- Trump's comments have reignited discussion about the G7's structure and the implications for international relations.
In Canada, during the Group of Seven summit, President Donald Trump expressed his belief that Russia's exclusion from the G8 in 2014 was a significant error that contributed to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Trump stated that if Russia had remained a member of the G8, the current war would not have occurred, pointing to the circumstances surrounding Russia's annexation of Crimea as pivotal reasons for this situation. He placed blame on former U.S. President Barack Obama and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for supporting Russia's removal from the G8, emphasizing that it complicated diplomatic discussions regarding Russia, particularly in the context of international relations. He indicated that he would prefer the G7 to become the G8 again, suggesting that including countries like China could also be beneficial in creating a more stable dialog among world leaders. Trump's remarks came prior to his scheduled meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, showcasing the complex geopolitical implications stemming from his opinions on Russian inclusion. His commentary has reignited discussions over the G7's structure and Russia's role in global affairs, highlighting an ongoing discourse on how international relations can shape the landscape of conflict and cooperation among nations.