US to host Russian delegation at G20 energy meeting in Houston

A Russian diplomat announced on Saturday that Russia will send officials next week to a G20 energy ministers' meeting in Houston, United States. Marat Berdyev, the Russian ambassador responsible for G20 affairs, said the meeting will take place from September 14 to 16 under the US presidency of the G20, with the delegation including representatives from Russia's energy, foreign affairs, and natural resources ministries.

This is not the first time this year the US has hosted senior Russian officials in a G20 format. In early September, the US hosted Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov in North Carolina for another G20 meeting, a move that caused discontent among Ukraine's European allies. Siluanov's appearance was notable as the first participation by a senior Russian representative in a G20 forum since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

Trump's explanation and talks with Putin

US President Donald Trump explained the invitation to the Russian representative by saying he likes to "get along with everybody," describing it as one of the reasons for his success. There are no reports on how US allies, including Canada and Denmark, with whom Trump has had strained relations, reacted to this approach.

Later, Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov said that Putin and Trump had spoken by phone. According to Ushakov, Trump expressed that ending hostilities as soon as possible would open up significant and large-scale prospects for fully restoring US-Russia relations, particularly highlighting potential trade and economic benefits for both countries. Trump also expressed a wish for the war to end during his presidency, and according to Ushakov, Putin supported the idea of building a constructive partnership going forward.