Burnham Opens Door to Russia at Manchester G20 Summit

Andy Burnham faces intense criticism after Government officials confirmed Vladimir Putin will be invited to send a representative to next year’s G20 summit in Manchester, despite Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine.

Government sources said on Friday that the Russian President will receive an invitation to participate through a delegate, even though there is no consensus among ministers on expelling Moscow from the group.

Disquiet In Whitehall

The decision drew immediate backlash from senior Conservative figures and prompted claims that some departments were opposed to the invitation.

The Daily Mail reported that Whitehall officials said the prospect of Putin on UK soil had caused concern. It also said sources described opposition from the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence, while Downing Street and the Cabinet Office—responsible for preparing for the G20—were behind pushing the plan through.

One security source cited by the paper said Russia is an “enemy” of both the UK and the West and warned that Moscow could seek to use the presence of a representative at the summit as a “propaganda coup”, attempting to gain legitimacy at home.

Warrant Fears In UK Courts

Ministers believe Putin will not travel to the UK, citing worries that British courts could uphold an International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest over alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

Putin is also accused by some governments and investigators of ordering the 2018 Salisbury poisoning that killed Dawn Sturgess, a mother of three.

The Mail also reported that Boris Johnson said it would be “unthinkable” for Putin, or any delegate, to enter the UK. Johnson argued that Britain should not “signal” a return to normal engagement with Moscow, adding that if a Russian delegation had to attend because the G20 would not exclude Russia, war criminals would be arrested if they arrived.

Conservative national security spokesman Alicia Kearns said allowing Russian war criminals into Britain would be an “insult” to people who have fought and died in Ukraine. She added that Moscow should not be welcomed until it ends its “barbaric and illegal” invasion.

Government Response

A Government spokesman said Russian participation in G20 meetings was “regrettable”. The spokesman added that the G20 is a consensus-based multilateral grouping and that all countries are invited, with member states deciding who represents them at summits.

Downing Street said Burnham remains “steadfast” in his support for Ukraine.

Join the discussion?

26 September 2026