In a move that has stirred controversy and disbelief, former President Donald Trump reiterated his call for Russia to be readmitted into the G7 during the summit in Canada. Speaking alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump argued that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine could have been avoided had Russia remained part of the influential group.

The backdrop to Trump's remarks is significant: Russia was expelled from the G8 in 2014 after its annexation of Crimea. The timing is particularly poignant as Trump prepares for a separate meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking their first encounter since the funeral of Pope Francis earlier this year.

Zelenskyy has been vocal in urging Trump to take a firmer stance against Russia, especially in light of President Putin's refusal to agree to a ceasefire. The Ukrainian leader is pressing for the U.S. to enact sanctions that the Senate has already approved, a move that Trump has hesitated to adopt.

Trump expressed his concerns about the financial impact of sanctions, saying, "Sanctions cost us a lot of money. You’re talking about billions and billions of dollars." He doubled down on his assertion that removing Russia from the G8 was a "big mistake," insisting that a strong relationship is essential for peace.

Blaming former leaders for the fallout, Trump pointed fingers at former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Barack Obama, claiming their actions created the circumstances leading to current conflicts. "Obama didn’t want him, and the head of your country didn’t want him," Trump stated, suggesting that better negotiation could have stabilized the situation.

Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU is pushing for stricter sanctions against Russia, including lowering the oil price cap from $60 to $45 per barrel to cut revenue streams for the Kremlin. Von der Leyen stressed the necessity of more pressure to achieve a ceasefire and conclude the war.

Zelenskyy, in his comments, condemned Russia's recent military actions and accused the country of undermining international efforts to broker peace. He asserted, "This war could have ended long ago if the world had reacted to Russia in a principled way instead of succumbing to manipulation and lies." He contrasted Ukraine's compliance with international requests against Russia’s aggressive tactics.

In his discussions with Carney, Trump made it clear he remains firm on trade tariffs, stating, "I’m a tariff person. It’s simple, it’s easy, it’s precise and it just goes very quickly." He is known for imposing tariffs on various Canadian goods, complicating trade relations amid broader discussions.

As the G7 summit progresses, all eyes will be on the outcomes of these discussions and how they will influence international relations with Russia amid ongoing tensions.