President Vladimir Putin plans to attend a Group of 20 summit in the Australian city of Brisbane, Interfax news agency said Monday, despite calls for the hosts to prevent him attending because of Russia's role in the Ukraine crisis.
"The president is continuing to prepare for the upcoming summit of the G20 in Australia," the agency quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying.
Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey said Saturday the Group of 20 expects Russia to attend the Leader Summit that Australia is hosting in November despite concerns over Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Hockey, speaking at a finance ministers and central bankers meeting in Cairns, said the overwhelming consensus from the G20 members was that the door be left open to continue engagement with Russia.
