Vladimir Putin will not attend Indonesia’s G20 summit in person, official says – National

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend next week’s meeting of leaders of the G20 (G20) countries in person, but could attend virtually, officials in Russia and host country Indonesia said on Thursday. rice field.

Indonesia has withdrawn its invitation to President Putin and has resisted pressure from Western countries to expel Russia from the group.

Russia’s state news agency RIA quoted a diplomat at the Russian Embassy in Indonesia as saying that Putin could attend via videoconference, but “(his) form of participation is under consideration.” reported.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to represent Putin at a meeting in Bali, officials said.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo was attempting to mediate between world powers ahead of the first meeting of the group’s leaders since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in what Putin called a “special military operation.” .

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“(The president) has been trying to keep everyone calm, and that seems to be happening right now,” Luhut Pandjaitan, the coordinating minister for maritime and investment affairs, told reporters in Bali.

The president told the Financial Times this week that Russia was welcome to the summit, but he feared it would be overshadowed by a “very concerning” rise in international tensions.

“The G20 is not intended to be a political forum. It is about economy and development,” he said.

Indonesia has also invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but President Zelensky said he would not attend if Putin did, and was effectively expected to attend.

US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to join other world leaders at a summit beginning Nov. 15.