Russia Prioritizes G20 Over G7 Amid Global Power Shift, Says Kremlin

Russia is more interested in participating in the G20 than in rejoining the G7, as the global centers of economic and social growth have shifted, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

His comments came in response to former U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion to reinstate Russia in the Group of Seven (G7).

"We have repeatedly said that the group, which is now called the Group of Seven, has significantly lost its relevance," TASS quoted Peskov as saying on Friday. "It unites countries that are currently not leaders in growth, in terms of various parameters of economic and social growth – the growth centers have moved to other regions of the world."

According to Peskov, Russia sees the G20 as a more valuable platform because it better reflects the global economic landscape. He emphasized that the Kremlin is more focused on continuing “constructive” engagement within the G20, where emerging economies have a stronger voice.

The remarks from Moscow came shortly after Donald Trump expressed his support for Russia’s return to the G7, a group comprising the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Trump suggested that excluding Russia may have contributed to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

“I’d like to have them back. I think it was a mistake to throw them out,” Trump said on Thursday, adding, “I think Putin would love to be back.”

Russia was part of the G7, which was then called the G8, until 2014. It was expelled following its annexation of Crimea, a Ukrainian territory. In 2018, Moscow officially declared that it had no intention of rejoining the group.

Trump hinted that Russia's exclusion from the G7 might have influenced the geopolitical situation.

“It’s very possible the full-scale war in Ukraine would never have started if Russia had not been excluded from the G7,” Trump said.

He also suggested that other international actors, including former US President Joe Biden, may share responsibility for the crisis. Trump noted that former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed with him on this point “100 percent.”

While Trump advocates for Russia’s return to the G7, the Kremlin appears more focused on the G20, which includes emerging economic powers like China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, and Türkiye. This group is seen as more representative of current global economic dynamics.

“The G20 better reflects the global economic drivers,” Peskov stated. This viewpoint underscores Russia's strategic pivot towards forums that include a broader range of influential nations.

Following his phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump hinted at a potential meeting in Saudi Arabia, signaling possible diplomatic developments. Meanwhile, Russia continues its military actions in Ukraine, occupying nearly a fifth of its territory. Kyiv remains firm on regaining all occupied areas, insisting that peace depends on Russia's complete withdrawal.