Putin to face a lively G20 reception

FEDERAL Treasurer Joe Hockey has confirmed Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend next month’s G20 summit in Brisbane and warned the Russian President to expect “a full and frank dialogue” with world leaders.

Mr Hockey told the ABC’s Insiders on Sunday the G20 member nations were in consensus that Mr Putin should attend the summit.

There had been pressure on the government to ban the Russian President from coming to Australia for the economic forum following the MH17 disaster, which killed 298 people, including 38 Australian citizens and residents.

I think there will be some full and frank dialogue with President Putin at that meeting. – Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey

It is widely believed Russian-backed militants shot the plane out of the skies above Ukraine after mistaking it for a military cargo plane.

Mr Hockey said he had spoken with Russia’s Finance Minister Anton Siluanov at the weekend who con- firmed Mr Putin would attend.

“I certainly shared with him my views and the views of Australia about Russia’s activity in Ukraine and he did confirm that President Putin will be coming to the G20 summit in Brisbane,” he said.

“I think there will be some full and frank dialogue with President Putin at that meeting.”

The G20 World Leaders Summit will be held on November 15 and 16 in Brisbane.

It is understood hosting the summit will cost Australian taxpayers more than $480 million.