Rubio 'Invited Putin for G20 Summit in December'

The US has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the G20 Summit in Miami in December, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said here on Wednesday.

Rubio made these remarks shortly after meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. 

"We think it's an opportunity for him to engage not just with the president, but with other world leaders. We hope that's an invitation he'll accept," Rubio told a press conference here.

The US



invitation comes against the backdrop of renewed efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war which is now in its fifth year. Asked whether President Donald Trump would meet Putin for talks about the war in Ukraine, Rubio said the president is willing to engage with anyone, including people he disagrees with. 

"They've had numerous conversations on the phone. I don't know the number, but since the President's come into office, I think at least a dozen times they have spoken. So, yeah, we'll remain open to engaging," Rubio said.