Keypoints:
- Kremlin says Putin won’t attend G20 summit
- Russia to send senior official to Johannesburg
- Trump also uncertain about attending
RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin will not attend the G20 leaders’ summit in Johannesburg next month, the Kremlin said on Wednesday, confirming that Russia will instead be represented by a high-level delegation.
The summit, to be held on November 22–23, will gather leaders from the world’s largest economies amid deep divisions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, climate policy, and global economic reform.
Global divisions loom over G20
The G20—comprising 19 major economies, the European Union, and the African Union—has struggled to agree on a united stance on key international challenges. Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine has continued to strain relations within the group, while disagreements persist over climate commitments and trade priorities.
South Africa currently chairs the G20 and will hand over the presidency to the United States after the Johannesburg meeting. The gathering is seen as a critical test for Pretoria’s diplomatic balancing act between Western allies and its long-standing partnership with Moscow.
Trump uncertain about attending
US President Donald Trump has also suggested he may skip the Johannesburg summit, citing what he described as his disapproval of South Africa’s domestic and foreign policies.
Speaking in July, Trump said he might send a representative instead, criticising South Africa’s land reform policies and its case before the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously urged Trump to attend, arguing that direct dialogue among world leaders remains essential in tackling global instability.
Diplomatic rifts widen
The uncertainty surrounding the participation of both Putin and Trump comes after earlier US disengagement from G20 events in South Africa. In March, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio boycotted a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Cape Town, accusing Pretoria of adopting ‘anti-Western’ positions.
Analysts say the absence of key global leaders could undermine efforts to build consensus at the Johannesburg summit and highlight the shifting alliances shaping global power politics.
With tensions running high between Washington, Moscow and Pretoria, South Africa’s ability to steer the G20 towards cooperation will be closely watched.
