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UK, Canada reject Russia's return after Trump summit invite

WION Web Team
New Delhi, IndiaUpdated: Jun 02, 2020, 08:34 AM IST
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File photo. Photograph:(Others)

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Russia was expelled from the group, previously known as the G8, in 2014 in response to its annexation of Crimea.

G7 leaders of the UK and Canada have opposed Russia's return to the G7, deepening a rift over US President Donald Trump's wish for the country to rejoin.

"Russia was excluded from the G7 after it invaded Crimea a number of years ago, and its continued disrespect and flaunting of international rules and norms is why it remains outside of the G7, and it will continue to remain out," Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a news conference.

The G7 summit, which the US hosts this year, convenes the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the UK to discuss matters of co-operation.

Russia was expelled from the group, previously known as the G8, in 2014 in response to its annexation of Crimea.

Earlier, a spokesman for the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would veto any proposal to allow Russia to rejoin the group.

Unless Russia ceases its "aggressive and destabilising activity", the UK would not support the country's readmission to the group, Mr Johnson's spokesman said.

"Russia was removed from the G7 group of nations following its annexation of Crimea and we are yet to see evidence of changed behaviour which would justify its readmittance," the spokesman told reporters.

The president had said the G7's "outdated group of countries" should be expanded to include others, including Russia.

The White House said making "progress toward convening the G7" with Russia was among the topics Trump and Putin discussed in a phone call.

Trump said on Saturday he would postpone the G7 summit scheduled to take place this month until September.