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Bipartisan senators press Trump to explain Putin's G20 invitation

A bipartisan group of 14 senators, including seven Republicans such as Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn and John Curtis, sent President Trump a letter questioning his invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit in Miami.

By The Lumen desk · Sept 27, 2026 · 1 min read
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What we know
1 A bipartisan group of 14 senators, including seven Republicans, sent a letter to President Trump about Putin's G20 invitation, according to Deseret News.
2 The G20 summit is scheduled to take place in Miami in December.
3 Signatories named include Senate Republicans Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn and John Curtis.
4 Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the invitation to Putin on Wednesday, according to Deseret News.
5 Outlets differ on whether the letter was sent Thursday or Friday.

A bipartisan group of 14 senators, including seven Republicans, sent an open letter to President Trump questioning his decision to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Group of 20 Leaders' Summit set for Miami in December, according to The Hill and Deseret News.

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The letter expressed 'serious concern' and pressed Trump to explain the invitation amid Russia's war with Ukraine, according to The Hill. Deseret News reported the senators cited national security concerns and discomfort with offering Putin 'the stature and legitimacy' of appearing at the summit.

Sources differ on the timing of the letter: The Hill reported it was sent Friday, while Deseret News reported it was sent Thursday.

Deseret News reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the invitation to Putin on Wednesday. Signatories named across reports include Senate Republicans Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn and Utah Sen. John Curtis.

The Washington Post reported that a bipartisan group of senators urged Trump to disinvite Putin from the summit. CNN reported that a Russian dissident, not named in the supplied material, criticized the invitation as 'shameful,' according to CNN.

How each side covered it

Left

2 outlets
  • CNN reported a Russian dissident called the G20 invite to Putin 'shameful.'
  • The Washington Post reported a bipartisan group of senators urged Trump to disinvite Putin from the summit.

“'Shameful': Russian Dissident Blasts Trump's G20 Invite to Putin” — CNN

Center

1 outlet
  • The Hill reported a bipartisan group of senators, including seven Republicans, sent a letter to Trump expressing 'serious concern.'
  • The letter pressed Trump to explain the invitation amid Russia's war with Ukraine, according to The Hill.

“McConnell, Cornyn join letter questioning Trump invite to Putin” — The Hill

Right

3 outlets
  • Deseret News reported 14 senators, including seven Republicans such as John Curtis, questioned the invitation.
  • Deseret News reported the letter cited national security concerns and discomfort with granting Putin legitimacy.
  • Deseret News reported Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the invitation on Wednesday.
  • Newsmax and Just the News reported senators, including McConnell, urged Trump to reconsider or rescind the invitation.

“A group of 14 senators, including seven Republicans, are openly questioning President Donald Trump's decision to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the annual G20 summit” — Deseret News

Questions readers ask

What happened with Trump's invitation to Putin for the G20 summit?

President Trump invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the G20 Leaders' Summit in Miami, prompting a bipartisan group of 14 senators, including seven Republicans, to send a letter questioning the decision.

Who signed the letter to Trump about the Putin invitation?

The letter was signed by a bipartisan group of 14 senators, including Republicans Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn and John Curtis, according to The Hill and Deseret News.

Where and when is the G20 summit taking place?

The G20 Leaders' Summit is set to be held in Miami in December, according to Deseret News.

Why are senators concerned about Putin attending the G20 summit?

Deseret News reported the senators cited national security concerns and discomfort with giving Putin 'the stature and legitimacy' of appearing at the world leaders' summit, given Russia's ongoing war with Ukraine.

What did left- and right-leaning outlets focus on regarding this story?

Left-leaning outlets highlighted senators urging Trump to disinvite Putin and a Russian dissident calling the invite 'shameful,' while right-leaning and center outlets focused on the bipartisan senators, including Republicans like McConnell and Curtis, questioning the invitation.

Sources · 6 outlet reports

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