Russian President Vladimir Putin is considering attending the G20 summit scheduled for Miami in December, according to Kremlin officials who confirmed Friday that Moscow received an invitation from the United States.
The potential attendance would mark Putin’s first appearance at a G20 gathering since 2019, as he skipped previous meetings due to the coronavirus pandemic and later because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which severely damaged relations between Russia and Western nations.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov addressed the possibility during an interview with state television, stating: “President Putin may go to Miami as a member of the G20, or he may not go, or another Russian representative may go.”
A U.S. official confirmed that Washington has extended an invitation to Russia for the annual gathering of the world’s 20 largest economies, and Moscow has accepted the invitation.
The development comes after reports emerged Thursday that President Trump planned to invite Putin, though Trump later told journalists he was unaware of any invitation or whether the Russian leader would attend.
A senior administration official clarified that formal invitations have not yet been distributed. “But Russia is a G20 member and will be invited to attend ministerial meetings and the leaders’ summit,” the official said while requesting anonymity.
Peskov emphasized that Russia will ensure appropriate representation at the summit, noting that Moscow considers the G20 forum extremely valuable given the various global crises currently unfolding.
The Kremlin previously expressed agreement with Trump’s assessment that removing Russia from the Group of Eight in 2014 was an error, though Moscow has since characterized the G7 as insignificant and “rather useless” for Russian interests.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin confirmed through state news agencies that Russia received an invitation to participate at the highest level in the Miami G20 summit.
During Thursday’s remarks to reporters, Trump suggested that Putin felt deeply insulted by his removal from the G8. “He was very offended by that. I’d venture to say you probably wouldn’t be having these problems if you didn’t throw him out,” Trump commented. “I’m of the opinion that you talk to everybody.”
However, Trump expressed skepticism about Putin’s actual attendance. “I doubt he’d come, to be honest with you. I sort of doubt he’d come,” Trump said while discussing his efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict.
Since beginning his second presidential term, Trump has demonstrated a more accommodating approach toward Russia and has criticized Ukraine regarding the ongoing war. The administration recently extended exemptions allowing Russian oil purchases without triggering sanctions.
Trump has faced ongoing criticism for his historically positive statements about Putin, with critics arguing he maintains a lenient stance toward Russia. Trump disputes these characterizations, claiming no previous U.S. president took a tougher approach with Moscow.
A State Department representative clarified the administration’s position Thursday, explaining: “As a member of the G20, Russia has been invited to all working-level meetings to date. President Trump has been clear that Russia is welcome to attend all G20 meetings as the United States focuses on delivering a successful and productive summit.”
