President Donald Trump told reporters at the Group of Seven summit on 16 June that removing Russia from the bloc was "a mistake." He said the decision, led by former U.S. President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, had sidelined Moscow and reduced the G7’s ability to influence the Kremlin. Trump added that he believes the current conflict involving Russia could have been averted if the country had remained at the table, stating, “You wouldn’t have a war right now if Russia were in.” Russia was expelled from what was then the G8 in 2014 after its invasion of Ukraine.