The United States has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the G20 Summit in Miami in December, opening the possibility of a direct meeting with US President Donald Trump and other world leaders.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the invitation on September 23, 2026, after meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Rubio said the summit could give Putin an opportunity to engage with Trump and other G20 leaders.
The Kremlin has welcomed the invitation but has not accepted it. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia would consider the offer through diplomatic channels.
Why the Putin G20 Invitation Matters
The Putin G20 invitation is significant because the Russian president has not attended an in-person G20 leaders’ summit since 2019. He joined a G20 meeting virtually in 2023, while Russia has continued to participate in the group despite its strained relations with Western countries.
If Putin accepts, the G20 Summit in Miami could become an important diplomatic setting for discussions involving the United States and Russia.
The invitation also comes while Washington continues efforts to engage Moscow over the war in Ukraine. Rubio described the summit as an opportunity for direct engagement, while Trump has continued to indicate that he is open to talks aimed at ending the conflict.
Could Trump and Putin Meet Again?
A Putin visit would create an opportunity for another Trump Putin meeting, following their August 2025 talks in Alaska.
However, Rubio’s announcement does not mean that such a meeting has been scheduled or that Russia has agreed to attend. The Kremlin’s latest position is that a decision has not yet been made.
Ukraine is also closely connected to the diplomatic picture. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously expressed willingness to meet Putin if the Russian leader attends the G20, although the Kremlin has rejected previous proposals for a direct meeting between the two leaders.
What Happens Next?
The immediate question is whether Putin will accept the US invitation to the G20. If he does, the Miami summit could bring several major players in the Ukraine conflict into the same diplomatic setting.
The summit is scheduled for December 14-15 at Trump National Doral Miami. Until Moscow makes its decision, however, the invitation remains an opening for talks rather than a confirmed Putin appearance or a sign that a peace agreement is close.
