Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend next year’s Group of 20 (G20) summit in Britain, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said, citing sanctions imposed on senior Russian officials following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Burnham ruled out Putin’s attendance at the November 2027 gathering, which Britain is scheduled to host in Manchester, during an interview with The Economist published on Thursday.
Asked whether the Russian president would be invited to the summit, Burnham responded: “No.”
He subsequently explained that although Russia remains a member of the G20 and the invitation process involves the wider grouping, existing sanctions would prevent Putin from attending.
“He will not be coming because of an outstanding sanction,” Burnham said, according to The Economist.
The British government’s position comes despite Russia retaining its membership of the G20, an international forum comprising major advanced and emerging economies.
Western countries have sought to limit Moscow’s international engagement following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, introducing economic restrictions and diplomatic measures against Russian officials and institutions.
RUSSIA’S G20 MEMBERSHIP PRESENTS DIPLOMATIC CHALLENGE
Putin’s exclusion highlights the diplomatic difficulties facing Britain as it prepares to host one of the world’s most influential economic gatherings.
Although Russia remains a G20 member, Western governments have increasingly sought to isolate Moscow over its military campaign in Ukraine.
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Traditionally, countries hosting the annual summit invite all G20 members, making the question of Russia’s participation a sensitive diplomatic issue.
Burnham acknowledged the technical complications surrounding the invitation process, noting that invitations are handled through the G20 rather than solely by the British government.
His remarks therefore suggest that Britain does not intend to facilitate Putin’s participation despite Moscow’s continued membership of the organisation.
CONTRAST WITH TRUMP’S INVITATION
The British position contrasts with that of US President Donald Trump, who has indicated his willingness to engage directly with Putin.
In September, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio disclosed that Washington had invited the Russian president to a G20 meeting scheduled to take place in Miami in December 2026.
Rubio said the gathering could provide Putin with an opportunity to meet Trump and other international leaders.
The invitation marked a potential opening for renewed high-level engagement between Washington and Moscow despite continuing disagreements over the war in Ukraine.
