Trump Falsely Credits Harper for Russia’s G8 Removal
President Trump incorrectly attributed the 2014 expulsion of Russia from the G8 to Prime Minister Trudeau and President Obama, a decision made by former Prime Minister Harper following Russia’s annexation of Crimea. This action, which effectively ended the G8, stemmed from Russia’s violation of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. Trump later expressed his desire to reinstate Russia to the G7, believing its exclusion was a mistake that hindered diplomatic efforts to prevent the current war in Ukraine. He now concedes that re-admission is not currently feasible.