Trump Urges Russia’s Return to G7 Amid European Defense Minister’s Warning of NATO’s ‘Darkest Times’ Since WWII | World News
Donald Trump expressed a desire for Russia to rejoin the G7 group of advanced economies, stating that expelling the nation “was a mistake”.
Russia was previously part of the group of industrialized nations, known as the G8, until its removal following the annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region in 2014.
“I would love to have them back. I believe it was a mistake to exclude them. It’s not about whether you like Russia or not,” the US president mentioned at the White House.
Additionally, he noted that “high-level representatives from Russia” would be present at the Munich Security Conference on Friday.
“Russia will be there alongside our officials. Ukraine is also invited,” the president remarked.
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In a series of rapid announcements, which included a series of US trade tariffs, he expressed his desire to engage with Russia and China on reducing defense budgets, proposing to halve domestic military spending and support initiatives aimed at eliminating nuclear weapons.
On Wednesday, the US president had previously declared that he and Vladimir Putin would initiate peace talks “immediately” to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
However, much of Thursday’s discourse surrounding global defense and spending emerged after a contentious NATO meeting in Brussels.
It has been a busy 24 hours of diplomatic efforts in Brussels, where:
• The president of Ukraine insisted that his country must be part of the negotiations.
• The Kremlin’s spokesperson Dmitri Peskov stated that Ukraine would participate in the peace talks “in one way or another”.
• Donald Trump’s defense secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed the US commitment to redirecting its military focus away from Europe, advising NATO allies: “Trump won’t allow anyone to turn Uncle Sam into Uncle Sucker.”
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Uncle Sam ‘won’t be Uncle Sucker’
‘Make NATO great again’
Mr Hegseth urged NATO allies that the US would not guarantee the security of Europe and encouraged leaders to increase military spending.
He told the press, “We must make NATO great again,” as he called on partners to contribute “much more towards Europe’s defense”.
Regarding military expenditure, as a percentage of GDP, the US defense secretary remarked: “2% is just a starting point… but it’s insufficient. Even 3% or 4% isn’t adequate – more like 5% – represents genuine investment and urgency.”
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Will NATO countries cough up 5% of GDP?
Sky News’ US correspondent Mark Stone, who reported on Mr Hegseth’s remarks, noted, “he represents one man, Donald Trump, and articulates his views.”
Stone highlighted that, regardless of public opinion towards him, Trump “is not a seasoned veteran in the arena he currently inhabits”.
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‘Ukraine is just the beginning’
In light of the Trump administration’s policy shift, a European defense minister cautioned that the continent may face its “darkest times since the Second World War” as Russia seeks to regroup and rearm following any peace agreement.
Dovile Sakaliene, Lithuania’s defense minister, remarked to reporters: “China and Russia will coordinate their actions, and if we fail to collaborate as a democratic team, it will be the darkest times since the Second World War.”
“In a few years, we may find ourselves in a scenario where Russia, with the rapid development of its defense sector and military, will advance.”
“We all understand that Ukraine is merely the initial phase of Russia’s imperial expansion.”
She warned that NATO allies face a critical decision: to swiftly and significantly rebuild their military capabilities and defense sectors, or risk finding themselves “in a very challenging position, to put it diplomatically”.
Lithuania’s defense minister Dovile Sakaliene warns of dire days ahead. File pic: AP
High-ranking politicians in Moscow celebrated the warming of ties between Russia and the US following a 90-minute phone conversation between presidents Trump and Putin on Wednesday.
Dmitry Medvedev, a former president and current security official, ridiculed Europe’s position on the global stage, claiming it is “mad with jealousy and rage” and declared that “Europe’s time is over”.
