Donald Trump has said it would "be better if Russia was back in the G7" as he discussed the chances of US attending the G20 in South Africa.
The President of the United States revealed that he thought it "is important" that the US attends the G20 meeting as he spoke to reporters with the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Speaking today, Trump said: "So, without the United States the G20, just like the G7 which used to be the G8, it’s not the same since they brilliantly threw Russia out it would have been a lot better if Russia was still in.
"You know, a lot of people say, ‘Oh, that’s because if Russia were in, you probably wouldn’t have this war.’ And if you had a different president, you wouldn’t have the war either.
Donald Trump has said it would "be better if Russia was back in the G7" as he discussed the chances of US attending the South African summit.
Oval Office/GB NEWS
"But we have a G7, and it’s important that the United States is at both of them.
"I really believe that. Without the United States, it’s just not very important. It doesn’t have the same meaning."
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The South African President nodded in agreement and said: "I said to President Trump, the US really originated the G20. And it's important that the United States continues to play a key role in the G20.
"We are privileged to be the president of the G20. But we are even overjoyed that we are going to hand over to the United States, who are the originators.
"And for that reason, I expect the United States to continue playing the leadership role in the G20 together with other countries. And I've said when I initially spoke to President Trump on the phone, I wanted to come to South Africa for a state visit.
"I also wanted him to come and participate in the G20. And I want to gladly hand over to President Trump to take the leadership of the G20 forward in November."
South Africa previously held a G20 meeting in February, but the US was noticeably absent. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio opened up about the decision via social media, saying: “I will NOT attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
"South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote ‘solidarity, equality, & sustainability.’ In other words: DEI and climate change.”
He added: “My job is to advance America’s national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism.”
The meeting comes after Trump accused South Africa's Black-led government of being racist against white people and allowing a "genocide" to take place against minority white farmers.
Trump accused South Africa's Black-led government of being racist against white people and allowing a "genocide" to take place against minority white farmers.
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South Africa has strongly rejected these allegations, with Ramaphosa pushing for today's meeting in an attempt to salvage the relationship between the two countries, which is reportedly at its lowest point since the end of apartheid in 1994.
When asked if he worried about being "humiliated" during his appearance with Trump, Ramaphosa dismissed these concerns.
"South Africans are never humiliated, are they? South Africans always go into everything holding their heads high," he said, projecting confidence ahead of the encounter.
