Russia and China should be allowed to join G7, says Vladimir Putin
- Russian leader also says bloc should let India and Turkey join – a suggestion that few believe will be accepted
- Russia was expelled from bloc over invasion of Crimea and, apart from Donald Trump, few have an appetite for its return
Vladimir Putin has suggested that the G7 should expand to include Russia, India, China and Turkey.
While the Russian President’s suggestion is unlikely to gain much support – Russia was expelled from the bloc five years ago over its annexation of Crimea and there is little appetite for its return – he argued the organisation needed a broader base to be effective.
Speaking at an economic forum in Vladivostok on Wednesday, Putin said: “If you want to restore the G8, please come and do it.”
“I think everyone understands today, and President [Emmanuel] Macron has said recently in public that Western hegemony is over,” Putin said, referring to the French president.
“I cannot imagine an efficient international organisation that works without India and without China.”
While US President Donald Trump suggested last month that Russia should be allowed to rejoin the organisation, there was little support from the other members – Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan – and some analysts believe it is less relevant to today’s world.
