During a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, President Donald Trump voiced his regret over Russia’s expulsion from the G8 (now G7). The summit, held from June 15th to 17th, saw Trump make a surprising statement regarding Russia’s former involvement.

According to Trump, the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin from the group may have contributed to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He stated, “I’m not saying he should [join] at this point, because too much water’s gone over the dam, maybe, but it was a big mistake.” This remark marked a clear criticism of former President Barack Obama’s decision to remove Russia following its annexation of Crimea.

The President’s comments sparked immediate debate, reigniting the discussion surrounding Russia’s role in international affairs and the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis. His assessment of the G8 expulsion as a ‘big mistake’ throws a new light on the evolving geopolitical landscape and raises questions about potential future engagement with Russia.