Markov also pointed out that the recent withdrawal of Russian troops from Kherson was another reason why Putin was worried about coming to the G20 summit in Bali, that is Russia’s defeat at Kherson. Markov branded the decision to leave Kherson “Russia’s biggest geopolitical defeat since the collapse of the USSR.”
This Russian Embassy in Jakarta previously confirmed that Putin will skip the G20 Summit, reported AFP on Thursday. Instead, the Russian delegation will be led by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Read: Govt limits flights to Bali during G20 Summit from Nov 13-17
“I can confirm that (Foreign Minister) Sergei Lavrov will lead the Russian delegation to the G20. President Putin’s program is still being worked out, he could participate virtually,” said Yulia Tomskaya, head of protocol at the Russian Embassy in Indonesia. (rr)