Canada rejects Russia's re-admittance to G7, says foreign minister

Canada has firmly opposed the idea of Russia's re-admittance to the G7, following a suggestion by US President Donald Trump.

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly made Canada’s position clear, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

When asked whether the topic of Russia’s re-entry into the group was discussed, Joly responded: "No we didn’t, and I am telling the position of Canada: No way this will happen."

The meeting of foreign ministers in Munich marked the first under Canada’s presidency of the G7 in 2025. Joly also announced that Canada would host her counterparts in Charlevoix, Quebec, on March 12-14.

Russia was suspended from the Group of Eight (G8) in 2014 after its invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea. Trump, however, recently argued that Russia should never have been expelled and suggested its presence in the G7 might have helped prevent the full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022. “It’s not a question of liking Russia or not liking Russia,” Trump stated. “I’d love to have them back. I think it was a mistake to throw them out.”

While Trump calls for a return of Russia, Canadian political leaders stand firm against the idea. Federal Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre has expressed opposition, saying, “Russia’s exclusion from the G7 is every bit as justifiable today,” and highlighted that the Conservatives led the charge for Moscow's expulsion in 2014.

Minister Joly reinforced that the G7 remains committed to supporting Ukraine and emphasized that for any peace talks to be effective, both Ukraine and European allies must be included at the table.

By Vafa Guliyeva