United Nations, September 24 (Daily Kiran) : Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit scheduled for December. This development increases the likelihood of a meeting between Putin and President Donald Trump, although Rubio clarified that there has been no discussion about a new summit between the two leaders.
During a press briefing at the United Nations General Assembly, Rubio stated, “We have invited President Putin to the G20.” He expressed hope that Putin would accept the invitation, as the summit would provide an opportunity for him to engage with Trump and other world leaders.
When asked directly if the U.S. is seeking another Trump-Putin summit, Rubio responded that no such discussions have taken place. He noted that if Putin attends and there is a purpose for a meeting, the two presidents could connect. Otherwise, they would still have opportunities to converse during the G20.
Rubio emphasized that the administration is prepared for dialogue with Moscow, driven by a desire to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. He mentioned that Trump has shown willingness to meet with leaders he disagrees with. However, he stressed the importance of having a productive outcome from such meetings, rather than gathering for the sake of being in the same location.
Rubio revealed that since Trump took office, the two presidents have communicated over the phone, estimating they have spoken at least 12 times, though he did not provide an exact count.
These comments come as U.S. officials are discussing the Russia-Ukraine war. Rubio noted that both sides have shown interest in a limited ceasefire related to grain and energy, although achieving this would be challenging. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has discussed this idea with U.S. officials, and it was also a topic during recent meetings in Moscow involving Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Rubio indicated that if Washington can play a constructive role, it is ready to assist in facilitating such an arrangement.
He acknowledged that a limited ceasefire would not end the war but could mitigate its broader impacts. He suggested it might serve as a starting point for a comprehensive agreement, stating, “I think everyone believes this war will end through a negotiated settlement.”
Rubio pointed out that attacks on energy infrastructure pose significant challenges. He mentioned that Ukraine is targeting Russian oil and gas facilities, which generate revenue for Moscow. Conversely, Russia is reportedly aiming at Ukraine’s power grid as winter approaches. As a result, both sides consider energy a critical aspect of their wartime strategies.
The G20 includes major economies like the U.S., Russia, India, and China, providing formal and informal opportunities for leaders to engage in dialogue. Since Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the war has significantly impacted energy and food markets, making efforts to limit attacks in these sectors increasingly vital for both nations.
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