Putin considers personal participation in G20 summit in India

Kremlin sources shared the information with NBC News.

"Putin still hasn’t ruled out appearing in person at the G20 meeting of major economies on Sept. 9-10 in the Indian capital, New Delhi, according to a Kremlin official," the media outlet quoted its source, who wished to remain anonymous.

The outlet notes that Putin is facing elections in 9 months, and he may see personal participation in the summit as an opportunity to re-enter the world stage.

During the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, Putin participated in G20 meetings via video conference. He also refused to attend the 2022 event in Bali, where world leaders condemned his armed invasion of Ukraine.

On March 2, the Kremlin said it had not decided on Putin's participation in the G20 summit. However, on March 17, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Putin, who is suspected of illegally deporting Ukrainian children. The ICC has 123 member states, so the Russian leader can be arrested in any of these countries.