Fact Check: Trump claims no war would exist if Russia was still in the G8.

Fact Check: "Trump claims no war would exist if Russia was still in the G8"

What We Know

During a recent G7 summit, former President Donald Trump claimed that if Russia had not been expelled from the G8 following its annexation of Crimea in 2014, the ongoing war in Ukraine would not have occurred. Trump specifically stated, “Barack Obama and a person named Trudeau didn’t want to have Russia in. And I would say that was a mistake because you wouldn’t have a war right now” (Politico.eu). This assertion implies a direct causal relationship between Russia's exclusion from the G8 and the current conflict in Ukraine.

Historically, Russia was expelled from the G8 in 2014 due to its actions in Ukraine, particularly the annexation of Crimea. This decision was supported by leaders from various G7 countries, including Canada, under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who confronted Putin directly about his actions (New York Times). By the time Justin Trudeau took office in 2015, Russia was already out of the group.

Analysis

Trump's claim that the war in Ukraine would not exist if Russia were still part of the G8 is a contentious assertion. While it is true that Russia's removal from the G8 was a significant geopolitical response to its aggressive actions, the claim oversimplifies the complex factors that led to the current conflict. The war in Ukraine is rooted in a long history of tensions between Russia and Ukraine, as well as broader geopolitical dynamics involving NATO and the West.

Critics of Trump's statement argue that attributing the war solely to Russia's expulsion from the G8 ignores other critical factors, such as Russia's longstanding ambitions in Ukraine and its broader foreign policy goals. As noted in reports, the decision to expel Russia was a collective response to its violation of international norms, and many analysts believe that the conflict would have occurred regardless of Russia's G8 membership (Fox News).

Moreover, Trump's comments have been met with skepticism regarding their reliability. His statements often reflect a particular narrative that seeks to blame previous administrations for current issues, which may not fully align with the complexities of international relations (Morning Joe).

Conclusion

The claim that "no war would exist if Russia was still in the G8" is Partially True. While Trump's assertion highlights a significant geopolitical decision that may have affected Russia's relationship with the West, it fails to account for the deeper historical and political contexts that contribute to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The statement simplifies a multifaceted issue into a single cause-and-effect relationship, which does not accurately reflect the complexities of international relations and the motivations behind Russia's actions.

Fact Check: Trump claims no war would exist if Russia was still in the G8.