Update: and just like that, G6+1 became G5+2

ITALY PREMIER CONTE BACKS TRUMP ON RUSSIA'S G-8 READMISSION

CONTE: RUSSIA'S G8 READMISSION WOULD BE IN EVERYBODY'S INTEREST

And when Germany and France, which have already been making moves to get back in Putin's good graces, join, there will suddenly be a majority for the pro-Russian front.

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On his way to what may be the most entertaining and confrontational G7 meeting in history later today in Toronto, president Trump made sure that the animosity with which he is met by the rest of the world leaders was cranked up to the max, when he told reporters this morning that Russia should be attending a Group of Seven nations meeting.

"It used to be the G-8 because Russia was in it and now Russia's not in it. Now, I love our country, I have been Russia's worst nightmare. I think Putin is probably going "man I wish Hillary won" cause you see what I do, but with that said, Russia should be in this meeting. Why are we having a meeting without Russia being in the meeting. And I would recommend that Russia should be in the meeting. Whether you like it or not, and it may not be politically correct, we have a world to run and in the G-7, which used to be the G-8, they threw Russia out they should let Russia come back in cause we should have Russia at the negotiating table."

Trump's comment, which will surely be spun as having come straight from Putin's brain-control device, the same one that got a few million middle class Americans not to vote for Hillary, prompted a spike in both Russian stocks...

... and the ruble.

Trump wasn't done however, and on his way to Toronto also told the press pool that he was considering a pardon for Muhammad Ali, not for OJ; countered that he is, in fact, preparing for the Kim summit, has been "preparing all his life"; was not planning to invite LeBron or Curry to the White House, and said that athletes mad at him about the National Anthem flap can send him stories about police injustice and request pardons for those involved.