A group of lawmakers including Mitch McConnell and John Cornyn sent a formal request to the White House on Friday to cancel an appearance by the Russian leader in Miami. This coalition of 14 senators, which includes seven Republicans, believes that hosting Vladimir Putin at the Group of 20 summit on Dec 14-15 would legitimize Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

The legislators also pressed the administration to bar other sanctioned Russian officials from attending G20 meetings held on US soil. The open letter expresses serious concern over Putin's responsibility for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the continued attacks on Ukrainian civilians.