Rep. Gallego Leads Members of Congress in Letter to Pompeo: Keep Russia Out of the G7
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and eight Members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asking him to retain the policy of excluding Russia from the group of Seven (G7) unless and until its policy of state-directed destabilization of the United States and other countries is substantively changed.
The letter comes in response to reports that the Trump Administration is seeking to readmit Russia to the G7 as part of a broader expansion of the bloc.
"This move would undo years of hard work and world unity in opposing Russia's invasion of Ukraine and other destabilizing activities, including murders and assassination attempts, attempted coups, and the continued attacks on the election system and the wider societies of the Free World," they wrote.
The letter details examples of Russia's criminal behavior and argues that such behavior should preclude the country from being allowed to rejoin the group. "What remains clear is that Russia was rightly kicked out of the G8 for being a danger to the world community and remains a clear and present danger to the United States and to the other remaining members of the G7," the letter says.
The letter was signed by Reps. Anthony G. Brown (D-MD), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Jason Crow (D-CO), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), and Filemon Vela Jr. (D-TX).
The full letter can be found here.