US Invites Putin to December G20 Summit, Opening Door to Possible Trump Meeting

NEW YORK, Sept 23: The United States has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the G20 leaders’ meeting in Miami, Florida, in December, opening the possibility of another meeting between Putin and US President Donald Trump.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the invitation on Wednesday after holding talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Rubio said Washington remains willing to engage with Moscow despite the lack of progress in efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

Rubio said the G20 gathering would provide an opportunity for Putin to meet not only Trump but also other leaders of major economies. He expressed hope that the Russian president would accept the invitation.

The Kremlin said it would consider the proposal through diplomatic channels. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was appreciative of the invitation and that a decision would be made after consultations.

The invitation comes as Washington and Moscow continue limited diplomatic engagement over the conflict in Ukraine. Rubio’s meeting with Lavrov in New York was part of those ongoing contacts, although no breakthrough in efforts to secure an end to the fighting was announced.

Possible Trump-Putin meeting

If Putin attends the Miami gathering, the G20 could provide an opportunity for another direct meeting with Trump. The two presidents last met in person in August 2025, when they held talks in Anchorage, Alaska, focused largely on the war in Ukraine.

Putin has not attended a G20 leaders’ summit in person since 2019, although he participated virtually in a session in 2023. Russia remains a member of the G20, despite its exclusion from the former G8 following its annexation of Crimea in 2014.

The December meeting would therefore provide a significant international forum for Russian participation if Putin decides to travel to the United States.

Rubio indicated that Trump remains open to meeting with leaders with whom Washington has major disagreements, arguing that direct engagement can be useful in addressing international disputes. He also said any separate meeting between Trump and Putin would need to have a clear purpose.

Kremlin considers invitation

Moscow has not confirmed whether Putin will attend the summit. Peskov said the invitation had been received and would be considered through diplomatic channels.

The Kremlin’s response leaves the question of Putin’s attendance open. An invitation to the Russian president does not itself confirm that he will travel to Miami.

The potential participation comes amid continued diplomatic efforts surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. US officials have maintained contact with Russian counterparts while also discussing possible steps toward reducing hostilities.

Rubio’s meeting with Lavrov in New York was the latest high-level contact between Washington and Moscow. The two sides have continued discussions even as fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces persists.

Xi could also meet Trump

Rubio also raised the possibility of another meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the G20 gathering.

Xi is visiting Washington from September 23 to 25 for a state visit at Trump’s invitation. The two leaders are expected to discuss a broad range of bilateral and international issues during the visit.

According to Rubio, Trump and Xi could potentially meet again at the December G20 summit or during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Shenzhen.

That would give the Miami gathering additional significance as a potential venue for discussions among leaders of the world’s largest economies.

The G20 includes the United States, China, Russia, India, the European Union and other major economies. Its meetings provide a platform for discussions on global economic and political issues.

Ukraine remains central to US-Russia talks

The invitation to Putin comes at a time when the United States is continuing to seek diplomatic avenues related to the Ukraine conflict.

Rubio said Washington remains open to engaging with Russia, despite the absence of a new agreement to end the war. US and Russian officials have held several rounds of discussions since Trump returned to office, but efforts to reach a broader settlement have yet to produce a final agreement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also expressed willingness to meet Putin if the Russian leader attends the G20 summit. However, no three-way meeting involving Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy has been confirmed.

The possibility of further diplomacy will depend on whether Putin accepts the invitation and whether the participating governments agree on the format and agenda for any bilateral or broader meetings.

December summit in focus

The invitation places the December G20 meeting in Miami at the centre of attention for possible high-level diplomatic contacts.

For Washington, Putin’s participation would create an opportunity for direct engagement with the Russian leadership during a major international gathering. For Moscow, attending would allow Russia to participate in discussions with leaders of other major economies.

However, the Kremlin has yet to make a final decision on Putin’s participation.

Until that decision is made, any potential Trump-Putin meeting remains a possibility rather than a confirmed event. The two presidents have already demonstrated their willingness to meet directly, but the circumstances surrounding a potential December encounter would depend on developments in US-Russia relations and the Ukraine conflict.

For now, the immediate development is the US invitation and Moscow’s decision to consider it through diplomatic channels.