Open letter to the US administration: The G20 invitation to Putin should come with conditions

Recent news has sparked debate over President Vladimir Putin's invitation to the upcoming G20 summit in Miami. This decision from the Trump administration adds another layer of complexity to Putin's brutal war against Ukraine, which has left the nation in turmoil. Following a unilateral meeting with then-President Donald Trump in August 2025, Putin continued to escalate his aggression, leading to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians and over 1.5 million Russian soldiers.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has shown great resilience in the face of Russian aggression, should be the one invited to the G20 summit. It is he who leads a nation of brave and determined citizens who are fighting for their freedom. The only subject that should be discussed during the G20 meeting is Putin's decision to end the war against Ukraine.

If the invitation is not rescinded, it should come with two conditions. Firstly, Putin should announce and adhere to an unconditional and full ceasefire throughout Ukraine, not just limited to energy facilities, as suggested by President Trump. Secondly, Putin must commit to a face-to-face meeting with President Zelensky, along with President Trump and leaders from the European Union, to negotiate a permanent resolution to the war.

European nations have been at the forefront of supporting Ukraine, providing aid and resources after direct U.S. assistance ended last year. They deserve to be part of the G20 discussions to ensure Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war and kidnapped children. Any negotiation must also include reparations for the damage Russia has inflicted.

Putin's actions have been widely condemned, with the International Criminal Court indicting him for war crimes, including the abduction of thousands of Ukrainian children and their transport to Russia. He has created one of the worst security crises in Europe since World War II, and he refuses to end the fighting.

In contrast, Ukraine has shown flexibility and a genuine desire to end the war, provided Russia agrees to a full ceasefire and begins meaningful negotiations. At a recent United Nations gathering, 51 countries expressed solidarity with Ukraine in urging the Kremlin to accept these conditions.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov argues that Russia will not suspend its "special military operation" even during negotiations, further demonstrating that Russia bears the responsibility for prolonging the war. Ukrainian-backed fighters from the Vostok Battalion have shown their unwavering commitment to Ukrainian territory by tearing down a Ukrainian flag in Donetsk.

The bipartisan group of U.S. Senators who urged against allowing Putin to attend the G20 summit raised concerns that this invitation could legitimize and normalize Russia's actions. As President Zelensky noted, this could be an opportunity for a trilateral meeting that could yield results.

While Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the invitation, he emphasized the importance of engaging Putin in discussions with other world leaders. However, the only issue on the G20 agenda should be ending Putin's war against Ukraine. If Putin agrees to this, it would be a significant step towards ending the conflict started by Russia. Otherwise, the U.S. should continue to support Ukraine and tighten sanctions to help Ukraine achieve victory.