BANFF, Canada — President Donald Trump opened the 2025 Group of Seven leaders’ summit by complaining it was a “mistake” for the multilateral organization to remove Russia from its ranks.

“The G7 used to be the G8. [Former President]Barack Obama and a person named [former Canadian Prime Minister Justin] 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,” Trump told reporters on Monday.

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Russia was removed from the G7 in 2014 in response to its annexation of Crimea.

“What’s that? Nine years ago, eight years ago, it switched over,” Trump said. “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. It was a mistake in that you spend so much time talking about Russia, but he’s no longer at the table, so it makes life more complicated.”

Trump made the remarks during his first appearance at this year’s G7 summit, which Canada hosted in Kananaskis. He was beside Trudeau’s successor, Mark Carney.

Carney welcomed reporters into the room amid his bilateral meeting with Trump, who turned 79 on Saturday. Carney wished the president a happy birthday.

Trump was then peppered with questions regarding trade and Iran. Concerning trade, the president underscored his position as “a tariff person” because duties are “easy,” “precise,” and can be imposed “quickly,” though he and Carney could talk out their “different concepts” during their meeting.

On Iran, Trump confirmed reports that Tehran is seeking to de-escalate with Israel, saying it “is not winning this war” and recommending that “they should talk immediately before it’s too late.” Before the press appearance, it was also reported that the United States is unlikely to sign a G7 statement related to Iran and Israel as it tries to strike a new nuclear deal with Tehran.

A White House official told the Washington Examiner of the reporting on the prospect of Trump not signing an Iran-Israel statement: “Under the strong leadership of President Trump, the United States is back to leading the effort to restore peace around the world. President Trump will continue to work towards ensuring Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon.”

Carney ended the appearance by attempting to regain control of the room, telling reporters asking Trump questions that he was exercising “my role as G7 chair.”

While tariffs are the focal point of this year’s G7 summit, the war between Russia and Ukraine, as well as Israel’s conflicts with Hamas and now Iran, are simultaneously on the agenda for the leaders to discuss.

While Russian President Vladimir Putin wasn’t on the guest list for the international meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was invited even though Ukraine is not a member of the G7.

THE G7 SUMMIT: WHO AND WHAT TO KNOW

Trump’s bilateral with Carney is one of three expected during his G7 summit. He is also expected to have longer meetings with Zelensky and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Zelensky is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Sheinbaum will arrive on Monday.

Trump, too, is anticipated to have more casual “pull-asides” with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday.