Russia says it won't rejoin G7 after Trump comes up with the idea -National

Canada disagrees with U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion that Russia rejoin the G7, but Moscow says the idea is a starter anyway.

Moscow's ambassador to Canada Oleg Stepanov said that “Russia has no interest” in joining the seven, which he called “a outdated structure.”

Russia was once part of the eight after the Ukrainian invasion until the rest of the members were suspended in 2014.

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Trump said it was a mistake, claiming that if Russia retains its membership, it could prevent the ongoing war, which he said should be restored now.

Canada will serve as the G7 this year, with Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly saying this weekend that Canada is firmly opposed to restoring Russia in the group.

She spoke after both conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and freelance leader candidate Chrystia Freeland rejected the idea.