GERMANY – Berlin: US invitation for Putin to G20 does not mean normalization of relations with Russia

BERLIN, September 24 /ATSH-DPA/ – The German government has taken note of the United States of America’s invitation for Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the G20 summit in Miami in December.

A German government spokesperson said today that relations with Russia have not returned to normal while the war in Ukraine continues.

“We have also taken note that President Putin has not yet decided whether to accept the invitation,” said German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius.

“For the German government, there is nothing normal about relations with Russia, given the war in Ukraine,” Kornelius said.

He added that preparations for the summit are continuing, including on this matter, stressing that the German government is coordinating its positions closely with partners.

His statements came a day after Washington invited the Russian president to the summit, after several years of absence.

The US invitation creates the opportunity for Putin to engage with the American president and other world leaders during meetings at the United Nations General Assembly.