WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement opposing President Trump’s overture that Russia should be readmitted to the G7, making it instead the G8:

“It is simply incomprehensible why President Trump would seek to reward Russia with membership among the world’s leading economic powers without demanding that Russia first cease its continuing violations of international norms. 

“The United States, along with its allies, suspended Russian participation in the G8 following its unlawful annexation of Crimea and aggression against Eastern Ukraine and urged a negotiated settlement.

“More than four years later, there has been no end to the violence perpetrated by Russia in Ukraine.  In fact, the Kremlin has doubled down on its aggressive, destabilizing behavior including meddling in our 2016 presidential election as well as in domestic politics across Europe.

“It is disconcerting to see President Trump diminish our allies while serving as Vladimir Putin’s cheerleader this way.

“Instead of pressuring Putin to change his behavior, President Trump is pressuring our allies to give Putin a seat at the table. 

“The American people deserve to know why President Trump is jeopardizing U.S. alliances and helping Putin undermine U.S. interests in a stable international order.”

After Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014, the G8 suspended Russia’s membership and became known as the G7.  Today, the G7 is made up of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, and Italy.  The European Union (EU) is a non-enumerated member.