US invites Putin to attend December G20 summit in Miami, Russia 'appreciates' it & will make decision
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the hope is to reach an "outcome" on the war between Russia and Ukraine.
The United States has formally extended an invitation for Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the upcoming G20 summit in Miami during December 2026. However, Russia has yet to decide whether to accept the invitation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio disclosed the invitation on September 23 at the UN General Assembly event.
Rubio expressed hope that Putin would accept the invitation, stating it would provide an opportunity for him to engage with not only U.S. President Trump but also other world leaders. The G20 is an annual forum that brings together leading economies from various nations, including the U.S., Russia, the European Union, China, India, and the United Kingdom.
If Putin attends, it would mark his first in-person appearance since 2019, and his first since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He had previously skipped several summits, with Russian officials attending in his place. Putin and Trump have not met since their summit in Alaska in August 2025. Rubio emphasized the importance of meeting with those who hold differing opinions to solve problems, suggesting that such meetings could lead to meaningful outcomes.
He noted that Trump and Putin have spoken at least a dozen times via phone since Trump's presidency began in January 2025, and the U.S. remains open to engaging with Russia. The ultimate goal would be to reach a negotiated agreement that could halt the conflict in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia's Kremlin spokesperson stated that no decision has been made about Putin's participation in the December G20 summit.
They appreciated the invitation, valued it, and promised to review and coordinate a decision. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed willingness to meet Putin at the summit if he attended, emphasizing the importance of results over mere words. Some European leaders, however, have criticized the invitation, fearing it may encourage Russia to continue its aggressive actions.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas have voiced their concerns about the U.S. decision to invite Putin.
Written by urgent.news from Mothership's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Russia to consider US invitation for Putin to attend G20 dailytimes.com.pk
