US President Donald Trump intends to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit in Miami in December, according to reports from April 2026 citing the Washington Post and later confirmed by US officials. The summit is planned to be held at Trump's National Doral Golf Club.
This invitation comes despite Putin's recent history of not attending G20 summits, initially due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Putin faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, and has been largely treated as a pariah by Western nations. Trump has previously met with Putin in Alaska and has suggested that such meetings are necessary to address global issues, including the war in Ukraine.
The Kremlin indicated that Putin "may or may not" attend, while a US official stated that Moscow has accepted the invitation. Trump has expressed that Putin's attendance would be "helpful" and that it was a mistake to exclude Russia from the G8. Senator Marco Rubio also publicly confirmed the invitation, emphasizing the importance of engaging with those with whom there are disagreements. Trump also mentioned the possibility of inviting Chinese premier Xi Jinping to the summit.
Hosting the G20 at his private golf club has drawn criticism and ethical questions, similar to a previously planned G7 summit at the same location in 2020 which was ultimately held online due to the pandemic. Trump maintains that Miami would benefit from the event and that his club's proximity to the airport makes it an ideal venue. This marks a continued effort by Trump to engage with the Russian leader, even amidst ongoing international tensions.
