Canada disagrees with U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Russia rejoin the G7 — but Moscow says the concept is a non-starter anyway.
Moscow’s Ambassador to Canada Oleg Stepanov says “Russia has no interest” in joining the Group of Seven, which he calls an “outdated structure.”
Russia was once a part of what was referred to as the Group of Eight until other members suspended it in 2014 following the invasion of Ukraine.
Trump says that was a mistake and claims the continuing war may need been prevented if Russia had retained its membership, which he says should now be restored.
Canada is chairing the G7 this 12 months and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said this weekend that Canada is firmly against having Russia reinstated within the group.
She spoke after Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland each rejected the concept.
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