Italy's PM speaks out against inviting Putin to G20
Photo: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (Getty Images)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has spoken out against plans by the US administration to invite Russian leader Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit in Miami, according to Ansa.
When asked about Putin’s participation in the G20 summit, she said: "I think this is the moment when we are the ones asking him to take steps forward, and not us to do so toward him."
She also noted that Washington has taken a number of steps toward Moscow in recent months, but has not seen a comparable response.
"I think it's time to demand it from Russia," Meloni said.
Background
The Washington Post reported that the United States is planning to invite the Russian leader to the G20 summit, which is set to take place in December at US President Donald Trump’s Doral golf club in Miami.
The outlet also cited a US administration official as saying that the invitation has not yet been sent.
Notably, on the night of April 23, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin claimed that Russia had been invited to participate in the G20 summit in the United States at the highest level. He added that a decision on participation would be made closer to the event.
Earlier, Russian media reported that the possibility of the Russian leader’s participation in the 2026 G20 summit would depend on how relations between the United States and Russia develop.
