Miami could bring together Trump, Xi and Putin

Ervin Shkulaku/DUANEWS

Miami could become the center of world politics this December, with the possibility that three of the world’s most powerful leaders — President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin — could all be in South Florida for the G20 summit.

The United States will host this year’s G20 Leaders’ Summit in Miami, bringing together leaders from the world’s largest economies.

Trump will be the host, while Xi is expected to attend following recent agreements between Washington and Beijing.beje nje foto

The White House announced after Xi’s September state visit to the United States that the two countries would support each other as hosts of this year’s G20 and APEC summits, with Trump and Xi intending to attend each other’s meetings.

China’s government separately confirmed the same understanding.

That means Miami is currently expected to bring Trump and Xi together again just months after their latest face-to-face talks.

But another major world leader could join them.

The Trump administration has formally invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the G20 gathering in Florida.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the invitation in September, saying the administration sees the summit as an opportunity for Putin to engage not only with Trump but with other world leaders.

Putin, however, has not yet confirmed that he will travel to Miami.

If he accepts the invitation, the gathering could put Trump, Xi and Putin in the same city at the same time — an extraordinary diplomatic moment considering the major global issues involving the United States, China and Russia.

The three countries sit at the center of some of the world’s biggest geopolitical questions, including the war in Ukraine, global trade, nuclear weapons, energy, Taiwan and the future of relations between Washington, Beijing and Moscow.

A Putin visit would also attract enormous attention because of Russia’s continuing war with Ukraine and the international controversy surrounding the Russian president.

His invitation has already generated opposition in the United States and in South Florida.

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has publicly criticized the decision to invite Putin, calling it deeply troubling.

For Miami, the summit is already expected to be one of the most important international events the region has hosted.

If Putin accepts the invitation, the stakes would rise dramatically.

For two days in December, South Florida could find itself hosting Trump, Xi and Putin — and standing at the center of global diplomacy.