Key facts
- US senators are urging President Donald Trump to rescind an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin for the G20 summit in Miami.
- The senators cited concerns that Putin's attendance would legitimize a government attacking Ukrainian civilians.
- They also argued it could reduce pressure on Moscow for a ceasefire in Ukraine.
- The invitation was extended on September 23 by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
- Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and other Russian delegates are under U.S. sanctions.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated he would attend and meet Putin if the Russian leader were present.
A bipartisan coalition of U.S. senators is calling on President Donald Trump to withdraw an invitation extended to Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the upcoming G20 summit in Miami. The senators, members of the Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees, expressed concern that allowing Putin to participate would legitimize a government that continues to attack Ukrainian civilian targets daily. They also warned that easing Putin's diplomatic isolation could diminish pressure on Moscow to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The invitation was announced on September 23 by Secretary of State Marco Rubio as an effort to provide engagement opportunities with President Trump and other world leaders. The G20 has previously served as a platform for discussions regarding Russia's war in Ukraine. At the 2025 G20 summit in Johannesburg, Western leaders noted that a U.S.-backed peace framework had "important elements" but required further refinement due to concerns about potential vulnerabilities for Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated his willingness to travel to the Miami summit and meet with Putin if the Russian leader attends. The senators also referenced the existing U.S. sanctions on Putin, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, and other members of the Russian delegation, arguing that their attendance at the summit would contradict these measures.