Russia was ousted from the elite group in 2014 as punishment for President Vladimir Putin’s annexation of Crimea and its support for pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine. Special counsel Robert Mueller is currently investigating whether Trump associates colluded with Russia in a bid to sway the 2016 presidential election in Trump’s favor. WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has called for an end to Russia’s expulsion from the G7, as he prepared to fly to Canada to attend part of the three-day conference. Russia was ousted from the elite group in 2014 as punishment for President Vladimir Putin’s annexation of Crimea and its support for pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine. The suspension was supported by the other members of the group, including the US, Canada, Japan and four European nations. Special counsel Robert Mueller is currently investigating whether Trump associates colluded with Russia in a bid to sway the 2016 presidential election in Trump’s favor. Other leaders of the G7 are set to clash with Trump when they pressure him to lift sanctions on steel and aluminum they fear could lead to a trade war. Trump is scheduled to leave early on Saturday for Singapore to prepare for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday.