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Trump says Russia’s return to G7 to have positive effect

The US leader reiterated he did not know what a final decision would be made on this issue

BIARRITZ /France/, August 25. /TASS/. Russia’s readmission to the Group of Seven nations is only under discussion but there are those among the G7 leaders who support Moscow’s return to the G8 format, which will have a positive effect, US President Donald Trump said on Sunday.

The US leader made this statement ahead of his meeting with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the G7 summit in the French resort city of Biarritz.

When asked about what the other G7 leaders thought about Russia’s readmission to the club, the US leader said that work on this issue was in progress. Trump said it would be "advantageous" to have Russia back in the club and that "some people agree with me."

Trump reiterated he did not know what a final decision would be made on the issue of Russia’s possible return to the G7.

Trump said earlier on Sunday that it is "certainly possible" he will invite Putin as a guest to next year’s Group of Seven summit in the United States.

The Japanese news agency Kyodo earlier reported that the G7 leaders had discussed the issue of returning to the G8 format with Russia’s participation. A spokesperson for Japan’s government told the news agency that the G7 leaders had discussed this issue but agreed they would not disclose the details of these discussions.