Zelensky says Ukraine would back three-way meeting with Trump and Putin at G20 in Miami
President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a briefing in New York on 23 September that the G20 summit in Miami could serve as a venue for a three-way meeting between Ukraine, the United States and Russia, and that Kyiv would support such a format if agreed. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Vladimir Putin has been invited to the summit and expressed hope he would accept. However, Bloomberg has reported that Putin is likely to skip the summit, and one source says he has already rejected Zelensky's proposal for talks at the G20.
Key points
- Zelensky made the statement on 23 September after addressing the UN General Assembly session in New York.
- Zelensky called the US proposal for a three-way meeting at G20 one of the best opportunities offered by the American side.
- The G20 leaders' summit is scheduled for December in Miami; one source specifies 14–15 December.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Putin was invited and expressed hope the invitation would be accepted.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on 24 September that Russia is grateful for the invitation and that the question of participation will be handled through diplomatic channels.
- Bloomberg has reported that Putin is likely to skip the G20 summit in the US.
- Zelensky conditioned his attendance on Putin's participation.
Why it matters
A three-way Zelensky-Trump-Putin meeting at G20 would mark a significant step in direct diplomatic engagement on the war. The Kremlin's positive public reaction to the invitation sits uneasily alongside reports that Putin has already rejected the proposal and is likely to skip the summit, leaving the meeting's status uncertain. Zelensky's decision to condition his attendance on Putin's participation ties Ukraine's diplomatic posture to Russia's response.
What happened
Speaking to journalists in New York on 23 September after his address to the UN General Assembly, President Volodymyr Zelensky said the G20 summit in Miami could be a venue for a three-way meeting with US President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin, and that Ukraine would back such a format if an agreement is reached. He called the US proposal one of the best opportunities for a three-way meeting with a real result, and emphasised that broad G20 representation — including European partners, China, India and Middle Eastern states — could help make negotiations productive. Zelensky also said he would travel to Miami if Putin attends. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Putin had been invited and expressed hope the invitation would be accepted. On 24 September, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia is grateful for the invitation and that the question of participation will be handled through diplomatic channels. Trump said on 22 September he did not know whether Putin would agree to a three-way meeting in Miami. Bloomberg has reported that Putin is likely to skip the summit, and one source says he has already rejected Zelensky's proposal for talks at the G20. Trump, in his UN General Assembly speech, said the war would end sooner than people realise and mentioned possible additional sanctions on Russia and its oil-market counterparties.
Where reporting differs
Sources disagree on the specific dates and location of the summit: one describes the G20 as taking place in December in Miami without specific dates, while Rubio's reported statement gives 14–15 December in Miami, and a disputed fact notes that only one of the two sources provides those exact dates and city. Sources also diverge on Putin's likely attendance: Rubio expressed hope Putin would accept the invitation and the Kremlin expressed gratitude, but Bloomberg reports Putin is likely to skip the summit, and one source says Putin has already rejected Zelensky's proposal for talks at the G20.
Background
The G20 leaders' summit is scheduled for December in Miami, with one source specifying 14–15 December. Zelensky made his statement on 23 September in New York after addressing the UN General Assembly. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Putin was invited and expressed hope it would be accepted. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on 24 September that Russia is grateful for the invitation and that the question of participation will be handled through diplomatic channels. On 22 September, Trump spoke at a press conference with Zelensky and in his UN General Assembly address about a possible Putin presence at what he called a "big event in Miami", said the war would end sooner than people realise, and mentioned possible additional sanctions on Russia and its oil-market counterparties. Bloomberg has reported that Putin is likely to skip the summit.