Indonesia defied US resistance and invited Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, to the G20 conference in November, its leader stated on Friday.
Jakarta, which has the G20 presidency this year, has under intense pressure from the West, particularly by the United States, to exclude Russia in the aftermath of its invasion of Ukraine, but it has insisted that it must remain “impartial.”
“I have asked President Zelensky to attend the G20 conference,” stated President Joko Widodo, implying that a compromise had been achieved in response to pressure from US Vice President Joe Biden and others to allow Ukraine’s attendance in order to strike a balance.
Putin confirmed in a phone call with Widodo that he will attend the summit, which will be held on the Indonesian island of Bali, the Indonesian leader said in a livestreamed speech.
Russia is a member of the G20, but Ukraine is not.
On Friday, Biden’s administration made its position on Putin’s invitation clear.
“The President has publicly expressed his opposition to President Putin attending the G20. We have welcomed the Ukrainians who are in attendance “Jen Psaki, Biden’s press secretary, stated in Washington.