Fri Feb 14 13:05:13 UTC 2025: ## Trump’s G7 Comments Spark Kremlin Agreement on Group’s Diminished Relevance
**Moscow, February 14, 2025** – The Kremlin has echoed U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Russia should rejoin the Group of Seven (G7), agreeing that the group has lost relevance due to its lack of representation of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
Following Trump’s statement on Thursday expressing his desire for Russia’s return to the G7 (previously the G8 before Russia’s expulsion in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea), Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed this sentiment. Peskov stated that the G7 no longer includes the world’s leading economic powers and that its influence has waned. He emphasized Russia’s preference for the G20, which he considers a more accurate reflection of global economic leadership.
Trump’s comments, made during a press interaction, acknowledged the historical context of Russia’s removal but emphasized a focus on economic growth rather than geopolitical considerations. He stated that the decision to exclude Russia was a mistake.
The Kremlin’s response reinforces the growing perception that the G7’s global economic influence is declining, shifting the focus towards forums like the G20 that encompass a broader representation of emerging economies.
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