Trump calls expelling Russia from G8 a grave error

During the G7 summit held in Alberta, Canada, on June 16, 2025, President Donald Trump made headlines for his controversial comments regarding Russia's expulsion from the G8. He stated it was a mistake to have removed Russia from the group back in 2014, just after they invaded Crimea. Trump believed that if Russia had remained part of the group, the current war between Russia and Ukraine might have been avoided. His remarks were not well received, particularly by Ukraine and European allies, who had been working to isolate Moscow diplomatically. Trump suggested that Russia's exclusion contributed to increased tensions and conflict in the region, exemplifying a sharp departure from the views of most European leaders, including the UK's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who defended the decision to expel Russia due to its military actions against Ukraine. He reiterated that keeping Russia in the G8 could have prevented the war, asserting that the current circumstances were a direct result of their exclusion from the elite group. The backdrop of these statements is the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has seen significant military action, including drone strikes and missile attacks in Ukraine, reportedly timed to coincide with the G7 summit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the summit as a guest to discuss continued support, military assistance, and the pressure required to draw Russia into peace negotiations. However, as Trump left early to handle the escalating situation between Israel and Iran, Zelensky's planned meeting with him was left unfulfilled. Overall, Trump's remarks at the summit highlighted a considerable shift in the U.S. administration's approach toward Russia, potentially undermining the unified stance that other G7 nations have maintained regarding punitive actions against Moscow for its aggression. The summit concluded amid mixed reactions to Trump's stance, with many world leaders reaffirming their commitment to supporting Ukraine, contrasting with Trump's seeming leniency toward Russia. Such comments from a sitting American president could have broad implications for international relations, particularly amidst the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine and strategic dialogues concerning global conflicts.