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Russia said Thursday it would consider an invitation from the U.S. for President Vladimir Putin to attend the G20 summit in Miami in December, after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the invitation following his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
"No decision has yet been taken" on whether Putin will travel to Miami, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
"We certainly receive this kind invitation with appreciation. We value this invitation. It will be considered, and a decision will then be made," he said.
Peskov noted separately that Russia's participation would be worked out through diplomatic channels: "We will determine our position and work it out through diplomatic channels," adding that regardless of the outcome, "Russia has in mind to continue its participation in the work of the G20 and all forums held within this framework."
Asked whether a Putin-Trump meeting on the sidelines of the summit was under discussion, Peskov said it was too early to say.
"It is premature to speak about this right now. No decision has been made yet. We certainly appreciate this kind invitation, we value it, and it will be reviewed and coordinated, after which an appropriate decision will be reached," he said.
Rubio had said Wednesday that a possible new Putin-Trump meeting had not been agreed and would require preparation, while noting Washington remained open to such contacts.
The two presidents last met in person in 2025, though they have spoken by phone on several occasions since.
The Russian official reiterated Moscow's position that it is seeking a full peace settlement rather than a temporary ceasefire, responding to comments from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who said Kyiv was ready for a complete, immediate and unconditional ceasefire and called on Russia to do the same.
"Regarding a ceasefire, we repeat once again: we are open to a peace settlement process, but we believe that what must be pursued is peace itself, not a temporary truce. This position of ours has not changed," Peskov said.
Asked about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's comments on a possible visit to Moscow, Peskov said he had not heard that Zelenskyy had ruled out such a visit, noting Zelenskyy "is making many statements right now on the sidelines of the General Assembly in New York."
He separately criticized a decision by Brussels to transfer to Ukraine €8 billion ($9.09 billion) in revenue generated from frozen Russian assets, much of which constitutes Russian state property.
"We have already repeatedly assessed these actions; we consider them illegal, we really do consider this theft, and we treat it accordingly," Peskov said, adding: "Here too, nothing has changed in our position."
Of the €8 billion, €3.5 billion has reportedly been allocated for arms purchases for Kyiv.
The European Union said Thursday it would continue using the Miami summit to condemn Russia's war on Ukraine regardless of whether Putin attends.
"Since 2022, the EU has consistently and forcefully used G20 meetings to condemn Russia's full-scale invasion and to call for it to end. What I can say today is that this approach, from the European Union perspective, will continue, irrespective of the participants at any G20 meeting," EU spokesman Olof Gill said.
Gill added that as a G20 member, Russia retains "the right to participate in G20 meetings, including at ministerial and leaders level."
The G20 summit is scheduled for Dec. 14-15 in Miami, with the U.S. holding the forum's rotating presidency this year.
The group's members include France, Germany and the UK, all prominent supporters of Ukraine in its defense against Russia's invasion, launched in February 2022.
Putin has not attended an in-person G20 summit since 2019, having participated virtually in the 2023 gathering.
Trump has sought to broker an end to the more than four-and-a-half-year war since returning to office in January 2025, without achieving a breakthrough.
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