In brief
In his remarks at the G7 summit, President Trump suggested that Russia's inclusion could have prevented the ongoing war in Ukraine, stirring controversy.
The Group of 7 leaders gathered in Calgary, Alberta, on June 16, 2025, where President Trump focused on Russia during his remarks, much to the surprise of many attendees. Highlighting a contentious topic, he expressed regret over Russia's expulsion from the G8 following its annexation of Crimea in 2014. Trump's assertions made headlines as he suggested that had Russia remained part of the group, the current war in Ukraine might have been avoided."I believe pulling Russia out was a mistake," Trump stated, directing his blame towards former President Barack Obama and and mistakenly identifying Justin Trudeau as the Canadian prime minister at the time of the expulsion (it was actually Stephen Harper). "We wouldn't have a war right now if they were still in," he insisted.This is not the first time Trump has shown affinity toward Putin and his regime. During the last G7 meeting in Canada in 2018, he controversially called for Russia to return to the fold, igniting a backlash among global leaders already wary of his approach. As he wrapped up his remarks at the summit, he reiterated, “They should let Russia come back in. Because we should have Russia at the negotiating table.” Trump's comments reflect ongoing tensions not just between him and his contemporaries at the summit, but also reveal a deeper rift with U.S. allies who view Russia's actions with skepticism and caution, especially amid ongoing military conflicts.
