US President Donald Trump on Monday said expelling Russia from the G8 was a “mistake,” suggesting the absence of Moscow complicated global diplomacy, and expressed openness to the idea of China joining the group.
US President Donald Trump has criticized the decision to remove Russia from the Group of Eight (G8), saying it may have contributed to current global tensions, and floated the possibility of inviting China to join the group of major economies.
“The G7 used to be the G8. Barack Obama and a person named Trudeau didn’t want to have Russia in. I would say that was a mistake — you wouldn’t have a war right now if Russia were in,” Trump said during a press briefing in Canada, referring to former US President Barack Obama and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Russia was expelled from the G8 in 2014 after its annexation of Crimea, an act widely condemned by Western governments as a breach of international law. The G8 has since reverted to being the G7, comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Trump claimed that removing Russian President Vladimir Putin from the global negotiating table only made discussions more difficult. “You spend so much time talking about Russia, and he's no longer at the table, so it makes life more complicated,” he said, adding that Putin was “very insulted” by the removal.
While Trump acknowledged that re-admitting Russia now may not be feasible — “too much water has gone over the dam,” he said — he doubled down on his view that the original decision was a strategic misstep.
In a notable shift, Trump also said he would not oppose the inclusion of China in the group. “It is not a bad idea,” he said. “I don’t mind that, if someone wants to suggest China coming in.”
Trump's comments come as world leaders grapple with growing geopolitical instability, including ongoing tensions between Russia and Western powers, and the shifting balance of global economic power involving China.
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The United Nations on Friday voiced serious concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan, warning that rising violence is increasingly affecting civilians.
U.S. authorities say they have thwarted an ISIS‑inspired terrorist attack planned for New Year’s Eve in the town of Mint Hill, North Carolina, arresting an 18‑year‑old suspect just hours before the alleged assault was due to take place.
Ukrainian officials reported on Friday that thousands of children and their parents were evacuated from frontline areas in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions as Russian forces continued to advance.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he would have a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday to discuss peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia as well as issues surrounding Gaza.
Dozens of people are feared dead and around 100 others injured after an explosion tore through a crowded bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, authorities said.
Russian athletes will not be allowed to represent their country at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics even if a peace deal is reached with Ukraine, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said in an interview with an Italian newspaper.
At least 47 people were killed and 112 injured after a fire broke out at a crowded bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana during New Year’s Eve celebrations, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told Italian media on Thursday.
India has approved a major arms deal with Israel valued at approximately $8.7 billion, highlighting the deepening defence partnership between the two countries.
A 6.5-magnitude earthquake has struck the southern state of Guerrero in Mexico.
The United Nations on Friday voiced serious concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan, warning that rising violence is increasingly affecting civilians.
Ukrainian officials reported on Friday that thousands of children and their parents were evacuated from frontline areas in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions as Russian forces continued to advance.
Yemen’s southern separatists have announced plans to hold a referendum on independence from the north within two years, a move likely to further escalate tensions as Saudi-backed government forces seek to retake territory seized by the group last month.
A 6.5-magnitude earthquake has struck the southern state of Guerrero in Mexico.
Suhail Shaheen, Afghanistan’s ambassador in Doha, has again urged the United Nations to transfer Afghanistan’s seat at the UN to the Taliban-led administration, arguing the current arrangement no longer reflects realities in the country.
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