McConnell, other GOP senators question Trump over Putin invitation to G20 summit in December

Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell joined a group of senators Friday in expressing their concern regarding President Donald Trump's decision to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to this year's G20 summit in Miami.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the president's invitation on Wednesday, which comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently indicated a willingness to meet with Putin personally to end the war.

Seven Republican senators signed onto the open letter, which was led by Democrats, and expressed "serious concern" about the possibility of Putin attending the summit in December amid a war with Ukraine.

“Given President Putin’s continued actions against the Ukrainian people and U.S. national security interests, we urge you to reconsider granting President Putin the stature and legitimacy to appear in the United States as a world leader at the G20 Leaders’ Summit,” the senators wrote, according to The Hill.

“The G20 is intended to foster international cooperation on critical issues including finance, trade and global economic stability," the letter continued. "As Russia continues its war against Ukraine and refuses to agree to a just and lasting peace agreement, its government should not be afforded a business-as-usual treatment alongside other nations at G20 events.” 

The seven Republicans who signed the letter extend beyond known Trump critics like North Carolina GOP Sen. Thom Tillis and McConnell. Sens. John Cornyn of Texas, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Jerry Moran of Kansas, John Curtis of Utah and Alan Armstrong of Oklahoma also signed the letter.

Putin has not publicly accepted the invitation.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.