Russia’s war in Ukraine is looming large over a Group of 20 summit that’s still seven months off, with officials frantically preparing in case Russian President Vladimir Putin decides to turn up.
The range of possible scenarios includes some leaders staying away, sending lower-level delegations or only dialing in from afar, according to people familiar with the discussions among member countries. The meeting could very well end without a formal communique for the first time.
This year’s G20, which includes conversations among chief negotiators, a slate of ministerial meetings and then the summit in November, is being hosted by Indonesia, which finds itself in a very uncomfortable position given the conflict in Ukraine.