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US President-elect Donald Trump has extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping and other foreign leaders to attend his inauguration next month in Washington, a spokesperson from Trump's transition team said.
The swearing-in ceremony, set for January 20, marks Trump's return to the presidency after his previous term from 2016 to 2020, making him the second US president to serve non-consecutive terms, following Grover Cleveland.
When asked whether Xi had responded to the invitation, Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump team, stated that it was "to be determined." She refrained from naming other world leaders who were also invited but emphasized the broader significance of the outreach.
"This is an example of President Trump creating an open dialogue with leaders of countries that are not just our allies but our adversaries and our competitors, too," Leavitt told Fox News. "He is willing to talk to anyone and he will always put America's interests first."
Meanwhile, the Kremlin announced on Thursday that it had not received an invitation to the inauguration. Responding to queries about Russian President Vladimir Putin's potential attendance, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, "No invite has been received."
According to CBS News, which first reported the invitation on Wednesday, the offer to Xi was extended in early November, shortly after Trump's victory in the November 5 presidential election. Trump's transition team has reportedly been preparing to host a range of international dignitaries at the Capitol for the event.
Trump's approach underscores his emphasis on engaging with global leaders, reflecting a strategy aimed at fostering both alliances and dialogues with adversaries. As the inauguration date approaches, all eyes remain on how these invitations shape the geopolitical stage during his return to the White House.
