President Donald Trump said Friday that he does not know whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the G20 summit scheduled for December 14-15 in Miami, but that he would certainly love to have him there.

Speaking to reporters, Trump reiterated his openness to the Russian leader's participation in the leaders' meeting, which the United States is hosting this year. "I don’t know if he’s coming. I would love to have him, certainly," Trump told journalists.

The remarks come after the Trump administration extended an invitation to Putin in September. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had described the move as an opportunity for direct engagement between Putin, Trump, and other world leaders. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow welcomed the invitation and would review it through diplomatic channels.

The G20 summit in Miami marks the first time since 2019 that Putin could attend in person if he accepts. Russia's finance minister recently participated in a G20 finance meeting in Bangkok, signaling a gradual return to the forum under the U.S. presidency.

The invitation has drawn criticism from European officials and some U.S. senators, who argue it could legitimize Russia's actions in Ukraine. Trump has pursued diplomatic outreach with Moscow, including a recent call with Putin focused on Ukraine and energy issues.

The December gathering in Miami is expected to test the limits of U.S. efforts to engage Russia while managing relations with European allies.