Zelenskyy: Possible Meeting with Putin During U.S. G20 Summit
Zelenskyy stated that Washington is drafting a trilateral meeting format involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia. One proposed option is to hold the trilateral talks in the United States during the G20 summit. The 21st G20 Leaders’ Summit is scheduled for December 14–15, 2026, in Miami, Florida.
Zelenskyy noted that locations in the Middle East are also under consideration, with U.S. officials frequently suggesting the UAE or Saudi Arabia as potential venues.
An alternative scenario involves a European country. Zelenskyy revealed that preliminary discussions have begun among European parties on this possibility. However, neither Russia nor the United States has yet confirmed participation in such a meeting.
Although there is evident U.S. interest in facilitating contact in Miami, no definitive arrangements have been made. Trump expressed hope to see Putin at the G20, but it remains unclear whether an invitation will be extended or whether Putin would attend. Kremlin spokesperson Peskov stated unequivocally in September that a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy at the Miami G20 summit is impossible, asserting that any encounter “can only take place in Moscow.” A more realistic trajectory remains “first negotiate the framework, then assess whether leaders will meet.” In the short term, the trilateral dialogue is likely to remain at the stage of discussing formats and engaging envoys. Even if a formal summit becomes necessary, venues such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, or a European nation would be more readily acceptable to Russia than Miami.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1879297980143620/
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