UK Says Putin Will Not Attend 2027 G20 Summit Despite Russia Remaining a Member
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said Vladimir Putin will not attend next year's G20 summit in Manchester because of UK sanctions against the Russian president.
Burnham made the remarks in an interview with The Economist on Thursday, 5 November, when asked whether Putin would be invited to the gathering. His response was brief: “No.” He reportedly explained that although Putin could not formally be disinvited because Russia remains a member of the G20, the Russian leader would not be coming while sanctions against him remained in force.
The announcement marks a difference between Britain's position and the approach taken by the United States. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in September that Washington had invited Putin to attend a G20 meeting in Miami in December. Rubio described the invitation as an opportunity for the Russian president to engage with Donald Trump and other international leaders.
Russia remains a member of the Group of Twenty, despite diplomatic efforts by Western governments to isolate Moscow following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. G20 host countries traditionally invite all members to their annual meetings, making the question of Putin's attendance a diplomatic issue for governments organising future summits.
The next G20 leaders' summit hosted by Britain is scheduled to take place in Manchester in November 2027. The city is a major centre in north-west England, and Burnham previously served as its mayor. His comments have placed the issue of Russian participation on the agenda well ahead of the international gathering.
The British government has imposed sanctions on Putin since 2022 as part of its response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The reported explanation for his absence is that the outstanding sanctions would prevent him from attending. Burnham's office did not provide further public comment following the interview, leaving some details of the government's position unelaborated.
The diplomatic disagreement comes as international efforts to find a way to end the war continue. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been holding discussions with Western partners about security guarantees, military assistance and the conditions required for a lasting peace agreement. Further US-brokered discussions involving Ukrainian and Russian representatives were expected to take place in Abu Dhabi on 10 and 11 November.
Zelensky also travelled to Spain for talks focused on strengthening Ukraine's air defences and securing further international support. He said he planned to hold additional discussions with American officials ahead of the proposed three-way negotiations. Ukraine has continued to stress that any settlement must include credible security arrangements to reduce the risk of renewed Russian military action.
Meanwhile, European countries are preparing a military exercise in Poland to examine plans for a possible post-war mission in Ukraine. The preparations are being led by Britain and France and involve thousands of troops. The proposed mission would focus on supporting Ukraine's security, rebuilding its armed forces and contributing to the country's recovery if a peace agreement is reached.
The proposed deployment remains dependent on the wider security situation and the outcome of diplomatic negotiations. European governments have also faced questions about the level of support that would be available from the United States. Ukraine has repeatedly argued that strong guarantees from its international partners would be necessary before it could consider a settlement that leaves the country vulnerable to another invasion.
Fighting has continued alongside the diplomatic activity. Ukrainian officials reported severe casualties following Russian strikes on a school in the village of Komyshuvakha in the Zaporizhzhia region, where the building had been used as a humanitarian aid distribution point. President Zelensky condemned the attack, while rescue teams continued searching the damaged site. Russian authorities said their forces had targeted Ukrainian military positions in the wider area, a claim that could not independently establish the circumstances of the reported civilian deaths.
Russia has also continued attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure as temperatures fall. Strikes have affected power facilities in several regions, including areas around Kyiv and Zhytomyr, according to Ukrainian officials and reports from the Russian Defence Ministry. Damage to electricity infrastructure has raised concerns about the impact on households and essential services during the colder months.
The latest developments illustrate the different diplomatic approaches being taken by Western governments towards Russia. Washington has indicated a willingness to provide Putin with an opportunity to attend a G20 meeting, while Britain has pointed to its sanctions as a barrier to his participation at the 2027 summit. Russia's continued membership of the G20 means the question of representation remains distinct from the political decisions individual host countries make about attendance.
For now, the focus remains on the forthcoming diplomatic discussions and the continuing conflict in Ukraine. The proposed Abu Dhabi talks, European security planning and preparations for the Manchester G20 summit will all form part of the wider international response. Whether these efforts lead to progress towards a settlement remains uncertain.
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