United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on 24 September 2026 that Washington has formally invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit in December, raising the prospect of a face-to-face encounter with President Donald Trump — even as Rubio stressed that no bilateral summit between the two leaders has been formally discussed.

Rubio made the announcement on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, telling reporters that Washington hoped Putin would accept because the gathering would give him an opportunity to speak with Trump and other world leaders.

What Rubio Said

The Secretary of State stopped short of confirming that Putin had accepted the invitation or that a bilateral meeting was being arranged. When asked directly whether Washington wanted another Trump–Putin summit, Rubio replied: 'That hasn't been discussed.' He added, however, that if Putin attended and there was a purpose for a meeting, the two presidents could meet on the sidelines. 'That war is going to end, I think everyone acknowledges, with a negotiated agreement,' Rubio said, referring to the conflict in Ukraine.

Rubio noted that Trump was willing to meet leaders with whom he disagreed, but insisted that such talks required adequate preparation to produce a result. His preference, he said, would be a meeting with a defined outcome rather than one held simply because the leaders happened to be in the same place.

Trump–Putin Contact So Far

The two presidents have spoken by telephone on multiple occasions since Trump took office, according to Rubio, who estimated they had spoken at least a dozen times, though he acknowledged he did not have an exact count. The calls indicate an active back-channel even in the absence of a formal summit.

Ceasefire Talks and Ukraine War

Rubio's remarks came as US officials continued discussions on a possible limited ceasefire in the Russia–Ukraine conflict. He said both sides had expressed interest in a ceasefire covering grain and energy sectors, though he cautioned that reaching such an agreement would be difficult. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had discussed the idea with US officials, and the proposal also featured in a meeting in Moscow involving Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Washington said it would help broker an arrangement if it could play a constructive role.

A limited ceasefire, Rubio stressed, would not end the war but could relieve some of its broader effects and potentially serve as a starting point for a wider agreement.

Energy Strikes: A Key Obstacle

One significant hurdle is the targeting of energy infrastructure. Rubio said Ukraine was striking Russian oil and gas facilities that generate revenue for Moscow, while Russia was targeting Ukraine's electricity grid as winter approached. Both sides, he said, regard energy as integral to their war aims — making an energy-sector ceasefire politically sensitive for each.

G20 Context and What Comes Next

The G20 brings together major economies including the United States, Russia, India, and China. Its leaders' summits routinely provide opportunities for informal bilateral discussions alongside the formal programme. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the conflict has disrupted global energy and food markets, lending particular significance to any deal limiting strikes on those sectors. Whether Putin accepts the invitation — and whether a Trump–Putin encounter materialises — is expected to become clearer in the weeks ahead.