Sept 23 (Reuters) – Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying on ​Wednesday that Russia would consider ‌the invitation extended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for ​President Vladimir Putin to ​attend a G20 meeting later ⁠this year in the United ​States.

“We saw the reports in ​the media and the statements by the secretary of state. We are grateful ​and appreciative for this invitation,” ​Russian news agencies quoted Peskov as saying.

“We ‌will ⁠make a decision and work through it via diplomatic channels.”

Rubio, speaking after meeting Russian Foreign ​Minister Sergei ​Lavrov, ⁠said he hoped Putin would accept the invitation, ​adding that the occasion ​would ⁠serve as an opportunity for Putin to speak to US ⁠President ​Donald Trump.

The G20 ​meeting is scheduled for December in Florida.

– Reporting ​by Reuters; Editing by Cynthia Osterman