Baerbock dismisses G7 inclusion for Russia amidst security fears
Annalena Baerbock, the German Foreign Minister, rules out cooperation with Russia within the G7, emphasizing the threat to Europe's security.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Thursday during the signing ceremony of new tariffs that expelling Russia from the G8 (now G7) after the annexation of Crimea was a mistake, and he would like it to become a member again. He also mentioned that Vladimir Putin would also like to be readmitted.
Trump expressed his desire for their return, stating that expelling them had been a mistake. He emphasized that the issue was not about liking or disliking Russia but rather about the original G8 structure.
Russia was a member of the G7, then known as the G8, until the annexation of Crimea in 2014, which led to its expulsion. Baerbock, referring to Trump's words, emphasized that there is no possibility of cooperation with Russia within the G7.
In a conversation with Vice President J.D. Vance, Baerbock noted that an "artificial peace" in Ukraine could lead to further Russian aggression, posing a threat to Europe's security.
The role of G7
The G7 is a group of seven countries that form the largest developed economies and democracies in the world. The group includes the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Canada. The leaders of these countries, along with the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, meet annually at political-economic summits.
