London: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be invited to the 2027 Group of Twenty (G20) Leaders' Summit, which the United Kingdom will host in Manchester. The announcement highlights Britain's position on Russia's war in Ukraine and raises questions about Moscow's participation in major international diplomatic meetings.
Burnham made the statement during an interview with The Economist. He referred to sanctions against leading figures in the Russian administration and acknowledged technical questions about how invitations to the summit are handled. He nevertheless made clear that Putin would not be attending the Manchester meeting.
The announcement comes amid differences in how Western governments approach relations with Moscow. The United States has taken a different position by inviting Putin to its G20 summit scheduled for December 2026 in Miami, Florida.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the invitation on September 23, 2026. He said that engaging with leaders with whom the United States disagrees could provide opportunities to address international problems. The invitation would give Putin an opportunity to meet US President Donald Trump and other world leaders.
The differing positions highlight the diplomatic challenges facing the G20, particularly as its members remain divided over Russia's war in Ukraine.
However, Britain's decision does not mean that Russia has been removed from the G20. Russia remains one of the group's 19 country members, alongside the European Union and the African Union, which are also members of the forum.
Russia's G20 membership is separate from the question of whether Putin will attend the Manchester summit. It remains unclear whether Moscow could send another senior representative to the meeting or how the British government will handle arrangements for Russian participation.
The G20 presidency rotates annually among its members, with the host country responsible for organising the summit and coordinating its priorities. The precise arrangements for Russia's participation in the Manchester meeting have not yet been clarified.
Russia's position within the G20 has remained controversial since it launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The invasion led to widespread international condemnation and sanctions imposed by Western governments against Russia and several senior Russian officials.
Despite the continuing conflict and diplomatic tensions, Russia has retained its G20 membership. The forum brings together major developed and emerging economies to discuss international economic cooperation, financial stability and other global challenges. Its members do not necessarily share the same political positions on international conflicts.
The United Kingdom is preparing to host the 22nd G20 Leaders' Summit on November 27 and 28, 2027, at the Manchester Central Convention Complex. The government announced Manchester as the host city in September 2026.
The meeting is expected to bring together leaders from G20 member countries, alongside representatives of international organisations. Britain has identified economic stability, artificial intelligence and global cooperation as important areas for its presidency.
Burnham has also expressed hope that Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the Manchester summit. He sees the meeting as an opportunity to strengthen relations with China and encourage cooperation on artificial intelligence.
The differing approaches adopted by Washington and London could become an important diplomatic issue as Britain prepares to assume the G20 presidency. However, it remains unclear whether other member countries will support Britain's position or how Russia's representation will be addressed.
Burnham's announcement is an important development in the continuing debate over Russia's role in international diplomacy. While Britain has made its position on Putin's attendance clear, Russia's membership of the G20 remains unchanged.