Trump also said that, in his opinion, the G7 is an outdated group of countries.
“I consider Trump's timely and fair assessment of the current G7 format as obsolete. This is an obvious reality. It has long been ascertained by both Russia and other countries that the “seven” for the last time was not the mechanism for developing new solutions, as was conceived by its creators, but only a ritual demonstration of the unity of the “seven” countries in relation to the rest of the world . Such a virtual demonstration of superiority and dominance. And this format is of little interest to anyone except its participants, ”said the senator.
Kosachev also noted that “it all depends on what is invested in the invitation” of Russia to G7.
“It is one thing if the format of the“ seven ”is expanded to some additional number of participants with the same powers, with the same rights, with the same opportunities to express their positions and influence, this is the most important thing in the final decisions. Then this format may be of interest to Russia. It is another matter if Russia and other "newcomers" are invited to sit on the sidechairs in this format and testify their respect to the traditional "seven". If this is so, if we are invited as spectators, and not full participants, then this is a very dubious undertaking. I don’t think that Russia needs it and will interest it, ”he added.
The senator also noted that in recent years the “twenty” format has “gained very serious momentum” and it is very important that additional formats, when they are added, do not compete with the “twenty”.
Earlier, Donald Trump announced that he intends to postpone the G7 summit until September and invite Russia, South Korea, Australia and India to it.