Donald Trump sparked backlash on Monday for defending Russian President Vladimir Putin during remarks at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada.The U.S. president complained to reporters, in front of fellow world leaders, about Russia’s absence from the group of leading industrialized nations, after it was expelled in 2014 following its annexation of Crimea.“The G7 used to be the G8,” Trump began. “[Former U.S. President] Barack Obama and a person named Trudeau didn’t want to have Russia in, and I would say that that was a mistake because I think you wouldn’t have a war right now if you had Russia in, and you wouldn’t have a war right now if Trump were president four years ago.”Note: Justin Trudeau was not actually Canada’s leader at the time Russia was removed from the group. Conservative Stephen Harper was in power until 2015.Trump with Mark Carney: "The G7 used to be the G8. Barack Obama and a person named Trudeau didn't want to have Russia in, and I would say that was a mistake, because I think you wouldn't have a war right now if you had Russia in." pic.twitter.com/RZHnmHtgfp— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 16, 2025Trump continued: “But it didn’t work out that way. But it used to be the G8 and now it’s, I think it’s, what’s that, nine years ago, eight years ago, they switched over, they threw Russia out, which I claimed was a very big mistake, even though I wasn’t in politics then, I was very loud about it that it was a mistake in that you spend so much time talking about Russia and he’s no longer at the table, so it makes life more complicated, but you wouldn’t have had the war. And other than that, I think we’re going to accomplish a lot.”Critics slammed Trump’s comments as yet another time he has sided with Putin amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. They also fact-checked his claim about there being “no war” when he was in office.Russia went into Ukraine in 2014, annexed Crimea, and supported the rebellion in Donbas. Putin escalated in 2022. But Trump keeps repeating this myth that there was no war while he was president. https://t.co/KI9BKzYvfe— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) June 16, 2025Good fucking gawd! Trump just blatantly lied about other G7 leaders kicking Russia out of the organization. Russia was kicked out of the G8 after they invaded Crimea in 2014. Every G7 leader is thinking the same thing: Trump is an absolute fucking moron. pic.twitter.com/xF2Eu9M5d8— Bill Madden (@maddenifico) June 16, 2025Trudeau was not Canadian PM in 2014 when Russia was kicked out of the G8, it was Stephen Harper.— Stephanie Hayden (@flyinglawyer73) June 16, 2025russia was kicked out of the G8 for starting this war. Facts matter.— Akash Maniam (@ManiamAkash) June 16, 2025It was 11 years ago actually sir lie a lot, and it was a whole year before Trudeau came into office that the G8 became the G7. We were under Harper back then, and he was a conservative— Kathy (@gallymeroreboot) June 16, 2025Russia was kicked out of the G8 in March 2014 exactly BECAUSE it launched its war in Ukraine by invading and forcibly annexing Crimea. https://t.co/GnZM7kvzZb— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) June 16, 2025Russia was suspended from the G8 in 2014 following its annexation of Crimea, which effectively turned the group back into the G7. Justin Trudeau wasn't elected as Prime Minister of Canada until 2015.Why is no one cutting this bumbling idiot off & fact-checking him in real time? https://t.co/oYoqOp3P1y— Susan♀️🇺🇦 (@ifudontlike2bad) June 16, 2025Russia was kicked out of the G8 because they invaded Crimea in 2014. This dude is an absolute moron and Putin’s bitch. 🤡🤡🤡 https://t.co/lMVZU56eud— Deem (@49ersDeem) June 16, 2025Really cool that the president of the united states sees himself as Vladimir Putin's personal defender. Like he goes around advocating for Russia's interests. Normal stuff. Anyway, the "Russia Hoax" was totally all made up by the Libs. https://t.co/DEQ41CPfdb— Centrism Fan Acct 🔹 (@Wilson__Valdez) June 16, 2025Trump just can’t stop attacking Democrats. Not even on the day a MAGA terrorist is charged w/ assassinating Democrats.And of course he can’t stop lying for imaginary friend Putin, who started the war (checks notes) in 2014. AND continued thruout Trump 1. Why didn’t HE end it?? https://t.co/W5xpfNdfqA— 🇺🇦Paula Chertok🗽 (@PaulaChertok) June 16, 2025Close