Russian President Putin to Skip G20 Summit in South Africa; Moscow to Be Represented at High Level

Moscow, Oct 2025 : Russian President Vladimir Putin will not personally attend the upcoming G20 Summit in South Africa, Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced. He confirmed that Russia will be represented at a “worthy level,” with details of the delegates to be disclosed in due course.

The G20 Summit is scheduled to be held in Johannesburg on November 22–23, 2025. South Africa currently holds the G20 Presidency from December 1, 2024, to November 30, 2025, under the theme Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability. During the summit, global leaders are expected to discuss a range of pressing issues, including the ongoing Ukraine crisis, according to South African Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.

Following South Africa, the G20 Presidency will be handed over to the United States in December 2025. The group consists of 19 member countries—Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States—along with two regional bodies, the European Union and the African Union. Together, these members represent around 85% of global GDP, over 75% of global trade, and approximately two-thirds of the world’s population.

The G20 operates without a permanent secretariat or staff, relying instead on an annual rotating presidency. Continuity is maintained through a “troika” system, which includes the current, immediate past, and next host countries. During South Africa’s tenure, the troika comprises Brazil, South Africa, and the United States.

While Putin’s absence marks a notable development ahead of the summit, Russia’s representation at a high level ensures the country’s participation in discussions on global economic, financial, and geopolitical issues. The summit will provide a platform for member nations to engage on challenges including international trade, climate change, and geopolitical conflicts.

The G20 Summit remains one of the most significant global forums, bringing together major economies to deliberate on policies that shape the world economy and international cooperation. Russia’s delegation is expected to actively engage in the discussions despite the President’s non-attendance.