Theresa May warns Russia against 'malign' election meddling amid chaotic G7
3 min read
Theresa May has warned Russia against “malign” interference in other countries’ affairs, as the G7 summit in Canada came to a chaotic close.
A joint communique signed by seven world leaders hit out at Moscow’s “destabilising behaviour to undermine democratic systems”.
It also backed Britain’s position that Moscow was “highly likely” to have been behind the Salisbury nerve agent attack, and said the G7 stood ready "to take further restrictive measures in order to increase costs on Russia".
Hailing the agreement in a speech at the close of the global gathering, Mrs May warned: "Foreign interference in our democratic institutions and processes, and other forms of malign state activity, pose a strategic threat to our shared values and interests.
"Recent events have demonstrated the importance of a unified international response to send a clear message that such malign activity will never be tolerated."
But the united front on Russia was overshadowed as US President Donald Trump became involved in a war of words with Canada's "dishonest and weak" Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
After leaving the summit, the US commander-in-chief said in a tweet that he had "instructed our US reps not to endorse the communique".
Mr Trump also drew criticism for his call to readmit Russia to the G7 - a position that earned him a rebuke from the Prime Minister.
Moscow was booted out of the-then G8 in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea.
However, the US President said it would be "an asset to have Russia back in", saying such a move would be "good for Russia" and "good for the world".
But Mrs May said: "If there are to be any conversations about Russia's future in relation to this particular group, they have to change their ways, they have to change the route that they are taking and the sort of activity they are involved in."
The Prime Minister meanwhile renewed her criticism of the US President's controversial decision to impose high tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from the EU, Canada and Mexico.
"Where we disagree with our allies on something it is right that we say so and air the issue openly and frankly," she said.
"We have done just that at this summit - registering our deep disappointment at the unjustified decision by the US to apply tariffs to EU steel and aluminium imports."
But in comments which may be seen as a snub to Mrs May, Donald Trump failed to mention the Prime Minister when asked to rate his relationships with other world leaders as he left the gathering.
"I would say that the level of relationships is a 10," Mr Trump said. "We have a great relationship; Angela, Emmanuel, Justin."
It comes after sources close to the president said he had grown frustrated by Mrs May's “school mistress” tone.
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