US President Donald Trump, during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the “G7” summit, emphasized to journalists that Russia's exclusion from the “G8” format was a “big mistake”.
In his opinion, this decision offended Russian President Vladimir Putin and had a negative impact on international relations.
Trump linked this decision to the US's former President Barack Obama:
“It was Obama's mistake. He did not want Putin. If Russia had remained in the “G8” at that time, there would have been no war,” said Trump.
He also mentioned Canada's former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as one of those who opposed Russia's membership.
For your information, Russia was expelled from the G8 following the annexation of Crimea in 2014. In his speech, Trump noted:
“Even if you have an enemy, you must keep them at the negotiation table. At that time, I didn't even consider Putin an enemy. He talks to me now, not to others — because he is offended from being removed from “G8”. Any person would feel the same,” he pointed out.
Trump also stated that inviting China to the club of developed countries like “G7” was “not a bad idea”.
According to the news report by “CBC” television, Trump refused to sign the joint declaration by “G7” leaders on the conflict between Israel and Iran. This declaration contained a call to protect civilians and resolve the conflict through negotiation.
