At the G7 summit in Canada, Donald Trump stirred controversy by advocating for Russia’s reinstatement to the former G8, a move that was triggered by Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. Trump’s support for Russian President Vladimir Putin came just before a planned meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which was subsequently canceled as Trump departed early due to escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Trump’s outspoken call for Russia’s readmission to the G7 highlighted his disregard for the group’s shared values, with Trump suggesting that the conflict in Ukraine could have been avoided if Russia had remained a member. While leaving the summit to return to Washington, Trump cited the Israel-Iran conflict as a reason for his early departure.

In other news, US immigration raids in southern California have raised concerns of racial profiling, with reports of US citizens being detained. Additionally, the Trump administration celebrated a legal victory in its efforts to reshape higher education by dismissing a lawsuit against cuts to federal funding for Columbia University. Amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, Democratic senators are pushing to limit Trump’s war powers to prevent further entanglement in the region.

These developments underscore the complex geopolitical landscape and domestic challenges facing the Trump administration, as it navigates contentious issues ranging from international relations to immigration policy and higher education reform.