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GLOBAL AMERICAS RUSSIA UNITED STATES UKRAINE POLICY POLITICS

Russia Evaluates US Invitation to G20 Summit in Miami Amid Trilateral Talk Speculation

REL_TIME: 26 Sep 2026 09:12Z · LANG: EN

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Russia Evaluates US Invitation to G20 Summit in Miami Amid Trilateral Talk Speculation
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The Kremlin has expressed gratitude and is actively considering an invitation extended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for President Vladimir Putin to attend the G20 summit in Miami, scheduled for December 14-15, 2026. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed readiness for a trilateral meeting with Putin and US President Donald Trump at the summit, the Kremlin maintains that any high-level negotiations require extensive expert-level preparation. Meanwhile, Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev is traveling to New York to meet with Trump administration representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to sustain bilateral dialogue.

// Background

Vladimir Putin has not attended a G20 summit in person since 2019, opting for virtual participation in recent years, such as in 2023. Relations between Russia and the US remain highly strained due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, though backchannel diplomatic efforts have persisted, including visits by US representatives to Moscow and negotiations over sanctions waivers and prisoner exchanges.

// Key Developments

  • US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the US has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit in Miami this December.
  • Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov welcomed the invitation, stating Russia will determine its participation through diplomatic channels.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed willingness to hold trilateral talks with Putin and Trump at the summit.
  • Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev is visiting the US to meet with Trump administration representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
  • President Putin has not attended an in-person G20 summit since 2019, having last participated virtually in 2023.

// Timeline

  1. Trump administration representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visit Moscow.

  2. President Zelenskyy publicly states his readiness to meet Putin at the G20 summit in Miami.

  3. Zelenskyy reiterates his hope for a trilateral meeting with Trump and Putin; Trump states he does not know if Putin will agree to attend.

  4. Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev travels to New York to meet with Witkoff and Kushner; Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov officially acknowledges and thanks the US for the G20 invitation.

  5. The G20 Leaders' Summit is scheduled to take place in Doral, near Miami, Florida.

// Perspectives

[Russia (Kremlin)]

Appreciative of the invitation but cautious; insists that any high-level meetings require thorough diplomatic and expert-level preparation before being finalized.

[United States (Trump Administration)]

Open to diplomatic contacts and hosting Putin at the G20 to facilitate engagement, though noting a formal bilateral meeting has not yet been agreed upon.

[Ukraine]

Highly receptive to utilizing the G20 summit as a platform for direct trilateral negotiations between Zelenskyy, Putin, and Trump to seek a resolution to the conflict.

// Quotes

“We saw the reports in the media and the statements by the Secretary of State. We are grateful and appreciative for this invitation.”

[Dmitry Peskov] — Kremlin spokesman responding to the US invitation for Vladimir Putin to attend the G20 summit.

“We need to meet, discuss the matter and reach a decision.”

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy] — Ukrainian President expressing readiness to meet with Putin in Miami during an interview on September 12.

“The gathering would give Putin an opportunity to engage with US President Donald Trump and other world leaders.”

[Marco Rubio] — US Secretary of State explaining the purpose and potential of the G20 invitation.
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