OTTAWA – Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is pushing back on U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Russia be allowed back into the G7.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office hasn’t answered a request for comment on Trump’s call for Russia’s return to the informal assembly of the world’s leading democracies — despite the fact that Canada is chairing the G7 this year.
Russia used to be part of what was known as the Group of Eight until other members suspended Moscow in 2014 over the invasion of Ukraine.
Trumps says that was a mistake and claims the ongoing war might have been prevented if Russia had retained its membership in the group, which he says should now welcome back Moscow.
Poilievre says Russia’s exclusion is “every bit as justifiable” today as it was back then, and argues the Conservatives led the push to exclude Moscow.
Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland says she won’t allow Russia to attend the G7 leaders’ summit in June if she becomes prime minister, adding Moscow has committed war crimes.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress thanked Poilievre and Freeland for their statements. The Russian embassy in Ottawa has been asked whether Moscow wants to rejoin the G7.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2025.
