Rubio Confirms US Invitation for Putin to Attend December G20 Summit in Miami

Key points

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the invitation to Putin during a press conference on September 23, 2026, following a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
• The G20 summit is scheduled to take place in December at the Trump National Doral golf club in Miami, Florida.
• This would be Putin's first in-person appearance at a G20 summit since 2019, as he skipped subsequent meetings due to the pandemic and backlash over the invasion of Ukraine.
• Rubio emphasized that the invitation is intended to allow Putin to engage with global leaders, stating, 'We hope that's an invitation he'll accept.'
• The Kremlin has not publicly responded to the invitation, and previous attempts to secure a direct meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have failed.
• Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed skepticism, urging the world to maintain financial pressure on Russia and stating that he is not convinced Moscow is sincerely interested in ending the war.

Background

The invitation follows a series of failed diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine, including a three-hour meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska in August 2025 that yielded no agreement. In April 2026, the Kremlin indicated Putin might attend the Miami summit, but remained non-committal. The US has also recently passed sweeping sanctions against Russia, including a bill that would allow Trump to levy 100% tariffs on top purchasers of Russian energy exports. The G20, which represents 85% of global GDP, has been a point of contention, with European allies refusing to engage with Russian representatives at recent economic meetings due to the war.

How outlets are covering it

Al Jazeera and The New York Times both report that the invitation is a significant diplomatic move by the Trump administration, aimed at re-engaging Russia despite the ongoing war. The New York Times notes that many leaders are unlikely to welcome Putin's presence, while Al Jazeera highlights Rubio's statement that 'in order to solve problems, you have to meet with the people that you disagree with.' The Guardian emphasizes the criticism from European officials and Ukraine, noting that the invitation marks a 'significant reversal' of Russia's international isolation. The Miami Herald provides additional context on the failed Alaska meeting and the ongoing negotiations for an energy ceasefire, highlighting the complexity of the situation. All sources agree that the Kremlin has not confirmed Putin's attendance, and that the invitation is a controversial move that has drawn sharp criticism from Ukraine and European allies.

Why it matters

The invitation to Putin for the G20 summit in Miami is a significant diplomatic move that could have major implications for the ongoing war in Ukraine and US-Russia relations. It signals a shift in US policy toward re-engaging Russia, despite its aggression, and could potentially open the door for direct negotiations between the two countries. However, the move has also drawn sharp criticism from Ukraine and European allies, who view it as a failure to isolate Russia for its war of aggression. The outcome of the invitation could have major implications for the future of the war and the global energy market, as both sides remain deadlocked over a proposed energy ceasefire.

What to watch

The next steps will depend on whether Putin accepts the invitation to attend the G20 summit in December. If he does, it could lead to direct negotiations between the US and Russia, potentially leading to a ceasefire or other agreements. However, if he declines, it could further isolate Russia and complicate efforts to end the war. The US and Ukraine will also continue to negotiate over the proposed energy ceasefire, which could have major implications for the global energy market. The outcome of the invitation will also have implications for US-Russia relations and the future of the G20 as a forum for global cooperation.