JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend a gathering of leaders from the Group of 20 (G-20) nations in person next week but may join virtually, officials from Russia and host country Indonesia said on Thursday.

Indonesia has resisted pressure from Western countries to withdraw its invitation to Mr Putin and expel Russia from the group over the war in Ukraine, saying it does not have the authority to do so without consensus among members.

Mr Putin might take part by video call, though “the format of (his) participation is being worked out”, Russia’s state news agency RIA reported, citing a diplomat in the Russian Embassy in Indonesia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will represent Mr Putin on the ground at the meeting on the island of Bali, the officials said.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo had been trying to mediate between global powers ahead of what will be the first meeting of leaders from the group since Russia invaded Ukraine in what Mr Putin calls a “special military operation”.

“(Mr Widodo) has tried to ensure that everyone cools down and that seems to be happening now,” Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan told reporters in Bali.

Mr Widodo told the Financial Times this week that Russia was welcome at the summit, which he feared would be overshadowed by a “very worrying” rise in international tensions.

“The G-20 is not meant to be a political forum. It’s meant to be about economics and development,” he was quoted as saying.

Indonesia has also invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has said he will not take part if Mr Putin does, and was expected to join virtually.

United States President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to join other world leaders at the summit, which starts next Tuesday. REUTERS