In a surprising statement at the White House on February 13, US President Donald Trump said he "very much hope" for Russia to return to the G7 economic power group, emphasizing that removing Moscow was a big mistake.
"I want them back. I think it was a mistake to push them out. This is not a matter of whether we like Russia or not. We were the G8," Reuters quoted Trump as saying.
Russia became a member of the group, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US and the EU as "not listed members" in 1997. Russia's membership status was suspended in 2014 after the country annexed Crimea. Crimea broke away from Ukraine and joined Russia through a Referral after the Western-backed Maidan coup in Kiev.
Mr. Trump argued that if Moscow had still held a seat at the G8, the Ukrainian conflict might not have occurred.
"I think if Russia had remained a part of the group, the problem we are facing now would not have existed," Trump said. The US president also revealed that he had discussed the issue with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other leaders. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe once "100% agreed" with him.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Russia's exclusion from the group and floated the idea of restoring Moscow's membership during his first term. At the time, the proposal was rejected by other members, while Russia itself seemed un interested in a comeback.
Mr. Trump's statement was made right after a phone call between him and Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 12. Mr. Trump revealed that the two sides have discussed a peace agreement for the conflict in Ukraine and will likely meet in person in Saudi Arabia in the near future.
At the same time, Mr. Trump also said he wanted to cut defense spending, suggesting negotiations with Russia and China to reduce the global military budget. He even pledged to reduce the domestic defense budget by half and promote the process of decentralizing nuclear weapons.
Mr Trump's comments came right after a tense NATO meeting in Brussels. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stressed that the Trump administration will not let the US continue to be Uncle Sams victim in military spending on Europe.
