Burnham won’t follow Trump in actively inviting Putin to G20

London — British Foreign Secretary Andy Burnham announced on Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be invited to the upcoming G20 summit in the U.K., reported The Economist in an interview. When questioned about Putin's attendance at the Manchester gathering next November, Burnham stated: "No." He further explained that the guest list is managed by the G20, but stressed that Russia would not attend "because of an outstanding sanction."

Burnham's firm stance against Putin's participation in the U.K. gathering contrasts with U.S. President Donald Trump's recent invitation of the Russian leader to the G20 summit in Miami, which sparked diplomatic tensions. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband had earlier affirmed that Britain would uphold its sanctions against Russia and avoid direct engagement, though it remained a decision for the U.S. to make.

Following a G20 foreign ministers' meeting last week, a planned photocall was canceled after politicians, including Miliband, declined to be photographed with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The U.K. has consistently backed Ukraine amid Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, a stance mirrored by all U.K. prime ministers during the five-year conflict.

Burnham also expressed interest in hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping, noting potential for future U.K.-China economic collaboration after British Labour Party leader Keir Starmer's visit to Beijing earlier this year.