Putin snubs Cop26 in blow to climate change talks

VLADIMIR PUTIN will not attend Cop26, the Kremlin said yesterday, dealing a blow to British efforts to get world leaders in one room to negotiate a global deal to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The Russian president’s decision to skip the climate change conference later this month in Glasgow comes as the leaders of China and India are also uncertain to attend, dampening chances of a breakthrough agreement to curb global warming between the biggest economies.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, confirmed that Mr Putin would attend remotely rather than in person, but did not give a reason. Last week, Mr Putin said he may not attend due to

‘We would obviously strongly encourage leaders to attend given this is a very critical moment’

Covid restrictions and was seeking advice from epidemiologists.

Asked if Boris Johnson was disappointed at Mr Putin’s decision to snub Cop26, Downing Street told reporters: “The Prime Minister has said before that we would obviously strongly encourage leaders to attend given this is a very critical moment in terms of tackling climate change.

“He is looking forward to meeting all leaders who have confirmed their attendance, which I believe is over 120 so far. We obviously expect all countries to be represented at a senior level, given that we’re asking for meaningful pledges towards tackling this issue.”

The spokesman declined to comment when asked if Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince, had confirmed his attendance.

Mr Peskov said Russia, the world’s fourth-largest greenhouse gas emitter, was talking to the summit organisers about including Mr Putin in the discussion via a video link, adding that the Kremlin considers climate change to be “one of the most important priorities of our foreign policy”.

For years Mr Putin has denied the danger of climate change but he recently spoke about it as a tangible threat and unveiled plans for Russia to go carbon-neutral by 2060.