Trump and Putin Discuss Space and Trump’s Idea To Expand G7

June 2, 2020 (EIRNS)—On June 1 U.S. President Donald Trump took the initiative to call Russian President Vladimir Putin about his idea as this year’s G7 chair, to hold an expanded G7 summit which could also include the leaders of Russia, Australia, India and South Korea to attend it. According to President Putin’s website:

“The Presidents exchanged views on the coronavirus response measures taken by both countries. Vladimir Putin expressed appreciation for the supply of U.S. ventilators to Russia.

“The Russian President congratulated Donald Trump on the successful launch of the Crew Dragon manned spacecraft on May 30, which carried American astronauts to the International Space Station. A common attitude towards the development of mutually beneficial cooperation in the space sector was confirmed.

“The presidents addressed world oil market developments in the context of implementing the OPEC+ agreement. It was stated that this multilateral agreement, reached with the active support of the presidents of Russia and the United States, would lead to a gradual restoration of oil demand and price stabilization.

“Mr. Trump informed Mr. Putin about his idea of holding a G7 summit with the possible invitation of the leaders of Russia, Australia, India and the Republic of Korea.

“The importance of enhancing the Russian-American dialogue on strategic stability and confidence-building measures in the military sector was noted.

“The presidents agreed to continue contacts at various levels.

“The conversation was constructive, businesslike and substantive.”

The White House posted no separate readout about the phone call, and it was only raised by media with Kayleigh McEnany’s briefing yesterday, who only confirmed that the call took place.

At today’s press briefing in Moscow by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Rossiya Segodnya—which owns Sputnik and RIA Novosti—asked about Trump’s proposal. Zakharova replied:

“First of all, I would like to say that we noted the U.S. President’s opinion that he considers the G7 ‘a very outdated group of countries’ that does not properly represent ‘what’s going on in the world.’ We agree. ... It is impossible to deal with issues regarding global policy and the economy within the closed clubs of Western countries.

“Therefore, the idea of an expanded G7 summit is in general a step in the right direction, but does not really mean a true representation. For instance, it is obvious that it is hardly possible to implement serous global initiatives without China.”