UK opposes Russia rejoining G7 despite pressure from Trump

RUSSIA must not be permitted to rejoin the G7, despite Donald Trump saying he might invite Vladimir Putin to the summit, Downing Street has said.

The US president has delayed the summit, which was due to take place next month, until the autumn as a result of coronavirus. Mr Trump also said he plans to invite Russia, Australia, South Korea and India, criticising the G7’s current make-up as “very outdated” and not representing “what’s going on in the world”.

But while the Prime Minister’s spokesman acknowledged it was up to the White House to invite Russia’s president to the summit as a non-member, he said the country must not be readmitted to the group.

Russia was removed from the group in 2014 because of its annexation of Crimea “and we’re yet to see evidence of its changed behaviour that would justify its readmittance”, the spokesman said.

Decisions on G7 membership need to be made unanimously by all G7 leaders.

“We will look at the detail of what the US is proposing. It’s customary for the country that holds the G7 presidency to invite other leaders to participate as guests in the summit,” the spokesman said.

“Russia should not be readmitted to the G7 unless it ceases the aggressive and destabilising activity that threatens the safety of UK citizens and the collective security of our allies … We wouldn’t support it being readmitted as a member of the group.”

The spokesman said No10 remained “in close contact” with the US about Boris Johnson’s attendance, which he favours happening in person.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We remain in close contact with the US about their plans for the summit.”