International Allies show signs of disagreement over Russia policy
Scoop: Trump's Provocative Stance at the G7 Summit
The G7 summit kicked off in Canada's scenic Kananaskis with a divisive stance on Russia between US President Trump and his European allies. While Trump regrets the exclusion of Russia, the Europeans push for toughened sanctions against President Putin's war machine.
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The G7 summit, the gathering of leading economic powers, started on an uncertain note as the allies found themselves on opposite sides regarding Russia. Trump expressed his longing for Russia's inclusion, claiming it might have prevented the current conflict. The Europeans, however, felt otherwise, considering Putin's return unimaginable, especially post-Ukraine invasion in 2022.
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"No War if Russia Were Included"
Trump met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and dropped a bombshell, "I think there would be no war if Russia were included." Trump further stated that Putin was deeply hurt when he was expelled from the G8, just as anyone would be.
Yet, Trump noted that it wasn't the right time to readmit Russia, considering the passage of time and the unfortunate events since then. Yet, the initial exclusion, in his view, was a mistake.
China: The Bystander Becomes the Player?
When asked about China's potential admission into the group, Trump replied, "Not a bad idea." At this point, the G7 has derived its significance as a community of values from its distinction from autocracies like China and Russia.
Putin: A Peace broker or a War king?
Trump showed his affection for Putin in other ways, suggesting that Putin could act as a mediator in the Israel-Iran conflict. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz disagreed, believing Putin should instead focus on ending the war in Ukraine.
The Optimist vs. the Realist
Merz approached the summit with optimism, hoping for unity despite the differences. He met Trump for a 20-minute tête-à-tête to explore common ground.
The Chancellor aims to achieve a joint position on the Middle East escalation, tougher sanctions against Russia, and progress in the trade dispute. He mostly agrees with French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and the EU leadership on these issues.
The Middle East Most Wanted
The G7 members face the ultimate test of uniting on the Middle East conflict. Merz emphasized the necessity of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear-capable material and ensuring Israel's right to self-defense. He also discussed the possibility of new diplomatic solutions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend the summit as a guest and will meet with Trump alone. Zelenskyy has urged the G7 to increase pressure on Russia, and the EU has already imposed strict sanctions on Russia in response to its aggression against Ukraine.
The Trade Showdown: Tariffs, Tariffs, Tariffs
Merz also hopes for progress in the trade dispute with the USA at the G7 summit. If no agreement is reached by July 9, new high tariffs on almost all EU exports to the United States will be imposed, and the EU would retaliate with tariffs on US imports.
[1] Trump proposes China's inclusion in the G7 during the 2025 summit.[2] Russia was expelled from the G8 in 2014 after the annexation of Crimea and then suspended permanently following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.[3] In general, G7 member countries have been critical of Russia's actions in Ukraine and have implemented significant sanctions against the country.[4] The EU has made a commitment to further increase pressure on Russia to end the war in Ukraine through economic sanctions.
- The ongoing G7 summit, a gathering of leading economic powers, continues to be marred by conflicting stances on Russia, as evidenced by Trump's call for Russia's inclusion and the Europeans' push for toughened sanctions. This dispute also reflects broader war-and-conflicts dynamics, particularly the ongoing Ukrainian crisis.
- The politics surrounding the G7 summit have extended to discussions about policy-and-legislation and general-news issues, such as trade disputes, the Middle East conflict, and China's potential entry into the group. Examination of these conversations offers valuable insights into the leaders' approaches to global challenges.
