Trump: Russia Is an ‘Asset’ for G7

President Trump on Saturday reiterated his calls for Russia to be allowed back into the group of leading industrialized nations after it was ousted for invading and taking over Crimea in 2014. Speaking to reporters at the G7 summit in Quebec, Trump appeared to have forgotten why Russia was expelled from the group in the first place, saying, “Something happened a while ago where Russia is no longer in.” He also appeared to equate Russia’s exclusion from the group with “playing games,” saying it would run counter to the goal of having “peace in the world.” “I think it would be an asset to have Russia back in. I think it would be good for the world, I think it would be good for Russia, I think it would be good for the United States, I think it would be good for all of the countries in the G-7,” he told reporters. When asked what sort of message allowing Russia back in would send in light of its annexation of Crimea, Trump dodged the question entirely and blasted his predecessor. “You have to ask President Obama because was the one that let Crimea get away during his administration,” he said.