The key facts

  • Political scientist Alexander Perendzhiev suggested provocations from EU representatives are possible at the G20 summit in Miami
  • Vladimir Putin's participation has not been officially confirmed; Trump said on October 16 that he would like to see him at the summit
  • The summit will take place on December 14–15

Prediction of provocations

Before the meeting of the G20 leaders in Miami and during its course, provocations from representatives of the European Union can be expected. This assessment was voiced by Associate Professor at the Department of Political Analysis and Social-Psychological Processes of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, retired colonel Alexander Perendzhiev in a comment to aif.ru. According to him, at a venue where many heads of state and government gather, it is harder to anticipate and neutralize possible incidents than during bilateral talks.

The question of Russia's participation

Perendzhiev noted that Russian officials have not yet confirmed that President Vladimir Putin has accepted the invitation to the summit. The decision, in his view, may be made taking into account the statements of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and other EU representatives. Criticism of Kallas from official Moscow was also reported by Gazeta.Ru: Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called the EU foreign policy chief a 'scarecrow in the beautiful garden' of the EU and said that she frightens those around her with ill-considered statements.

Summit context

The G20 summit will be held in Miami on December 14–15. On October 16, US President Donald Trump said he would like to see Vladimir Putin there. Thus, the participation of the Russian delegation remains an open question as of the time of publication: the invitation has been voiced, but no official confirmation has followed from Moscow, and the final decision, as Perendzhiev believes, may depend on the position of the European representatives.