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Putin did not go to Bali as his presence is needed in Russia — Kremlin

The G20 summit to be held in Bali on November 15-16

MOSCOW, November 14. /TASS/. The current circumstances require President Vladimir Putin’s presence in Russia, so he decided against flying to the G20 summit in Bali, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media on Monday.

"As for the president, the circumstances dictate the priority of the president staying in Russia. For this reason, it was decided that the Russian side would participate in this summit at the foreign minister level," Peskov said.

He stressed that the leaders of the G20, if they wished, could hold meetings with the Russian side.

"Russia is represented at the summit at a high level. In fact, [Foreign Minister Sergey] Lavrov will hold meetings with a wide range of participants. Everyone else will have a chance to contact the Russian side at a high level, provided there is such a wish," Peskov said.

He recalled that Putin had a rather substantive dialogue with the leadership of Indonesia, which currently chairs the G20.

"Mr. Lavrov conveyed to the Indonesian leadership his best wishes and words of gratitude for the constructive dialogue ahead of this summit," Peskov concluded.

The G20 summit will be held in Bali on November 15-16.