DISINFO: After Russia’s expulsion G7 lost its relevance
SUMMARY
While Moscow was part of G8, the format worked more effectively. G8 used to be a body for the management of political and economic global problems, while G7 turned into an aristocratic club of leaders of Western countries. Without Russia’s participation, and given that many of the questions discussed there, such as economy, trade or armed conflicts solution, are related to Moscow, the format became inefficient, and in the last years G7 lost its relevance.
RESPONSE
Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative expressing resentment about Russia’s suspension from the international bodies and calling for its readmission, without addressing the reasons behind these moves (in this case, the illegal annexation of Crimea). Contrary to the claim, G7 is neither ineffective nor an elitist club. It is capable of setting the global agenda because decisions taken by its members have a real impact. The political direction set by these leaders on policy issues will have a “ripple” effect across many other international organisations and institutions. Thus, decisions taken at the G7 are not legally binding, but exert strong political influence. Major initiatives have been launched as a result of G7 meetings in the years since Russia’s expulsion, such as the Global Apollo Programme to fight climate change, born out of the 2015 summit. Russia was admitted to the G8 in 1998, as a way to encourage ongoing democratic and economic reform, which has been increasingly reversed since. Experts have expressed their opinion that without Russia, G7 is “more like-minded and capable”, and that it is a way to tell Moscow that it doesn’t “meet certain standards of international behavior, much less domestic behavior”. See other examples of this disinformation narrative about Russia as a victim of the West, such as claims about NATO military exercises as acts of war against Russia; alleged plans to encircle Russia or to wage war against it; the supposed anti-Russian bias of international institutions - be it the OPCW, the World Anti-Doping Agency or the United Nations - which always falsely accuse Russia; the alleged Russophobia of the EU; the affirmation that it is NATO and not the Kremlin who is involved in the Donbas conflict; or denials that Russia had any role in the poisoning of Sergey Skripal or the downing of MH17, that it interfered in other countries’ elections or that it is waging a disinformation campaign on COVID-19. This disinformation message appeared in the same article as the claim that “Russia was expelled from G8 for no real reason”