3 weeks ago
Last Updated:February 16, 2025, 12:50 IST
Trump recently proposed Russia to be re-admitted to G7, after it was excluded from the group following Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Canadian FM Melanie Joly rejected Trump's plans to re-admit Russia into G7. (Reuters/File)
Days after US President Donald Trump proposed to readmit Russia to the Group of Seven nations, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly rejected the idea, saying, “No way this will happen".
Russia was a member of the G7, then known as G8, but it was excluded from the group under the Obama administration after Moscow annexed Ukraine’s Crimea region in 2014.
“I’d love to have them back. I think it was a mistake to throw them out. Look, it’s not a question of liking Russia or not liking Russia. It was the G8," said Trump on Thursday while announcing reciprocal US tariffs.
Why Canada’s Rejection Matters?
Notably, Canada is chairing the G7 Summit this year after taking the reins from Italy. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Canada is firmly opposed to having Russia reinstated in the G7.
“No we didn’t (discuss re-admitting Russia), and I am telling the position of Canada: No way this will happen," Joly was quoted as saying by Global News at a news conference at the Munich Security Conference.
The meeting of foreign ministers during the Munich Security Conference was the first one under Canada’s 2025 presidency. Joly said she would host her counterparts in Quebec on March 12-14.
Meanwhile, opposition Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre also pushed back against Trump’s proposal and said Russia should not be let back in. “Russia’s exclusion from the G7 is every bit as justifiable today," he posted on X, arguing the Conservatives led the push to exclude Moscow in 2014.
Russia should not be welcomed back into the G7.It was a Conservative government that led the charge to kick Russia out of the then G8 because of their illegal invasion of Crimea in 2014.
Russia’s exclusion from the G7 is every bit as justifiable today.
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) February 13, 2025
Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland also said she would not allow Russia to attend the G7 Leaders’ Summit in June if she becomes the next PM after Justin Trudeau. “We will not turn a blind eye to war crimes and attacks on other countries’ sovereignty," she wrote. There has been no word from Trudeau on this matter so far.
Location :Ottawa, Canada
First Published:February 16, 2025, 12:49 IST
News world 'No Way This Will Happen': Canada Rejects Trump's Proposal To Bring Russia Back In G7
