Trump wants to host G7 meeting after election

President Donald Trump said Monday that he wants to host the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations after the November presidential election and still wants to invite Russia, which was kicked out of the G7 after it annexed Crimea.

"I'm much more inclined to do it sometime after the election," Trump told reporters at a White House briefing, adding that due to the coronavirus pandemic, the meeting could be held in person or via teleconference.

He said he told his staff on Sunday that he'd rather have the summit after the election.  He said that would give everyone more time to think about the important meeting.

In June, the European Union joined a growing chorus of G7 members insisting that Russia must not be allowed back into the fold. Trump, as host of this year's summit, is in charge of the guest list and has said he plans to invite Russia, Australia, South Korea and India.

The G7 members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The EU, comprising 27 nations, also takes part in the meeting.

Russia was suspended in 2014 from the then G8 following its invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea.

Asked if he has raised reports of attemped election meddling by Russia in his conversations with Putin following warnings from his own intelligence officials, Trump dismissed the question, saying Iran and China are attempting to do the same.

He then also accused Democrats of trying to meddle in the elections "by wanting and insisting on sending mail in ballots, where there's corruption all over the place."

On Friday, William Evanina, the director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, warned about foreign interference and said Russia was already trying to undercut Democratic candidate Joe Biden.