New Delhi: Russian ambassador to India Denis Alipov thinks of the country’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov a “womaniser”. At least that’s what he told an Indian journalist in a playful exchange when she asked him why Russian president Vladimir Putin “who’s popular among women in Russia” chose to stay away from next week’s G20 summit.
At a press meet hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia), a woman journalist said it would have been “nice” if the “popular” Russian president had come down.
Putin, who faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for war crimes over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, has already conveyed his inability to attend the G20 Summit, which will be held from 8 to 10 September in the national capital. Foreign minister Lavrov will attend the event in his place.
“We are all great fans of Russia. President Putin is very popular with Russian women. If he had come to India it would have been very nice for us, and we would have really enjoyed,” the journalist is heard saying, adding that the foreign minister Sergey Lavrov “will be coming and putting President Putin’s viewpoint”.
In discussing the dynamics of Russian leadership, it’s important to consider how perceptions of Russia’s influence vary across different nations, particularly among its neighbors.
In response, the Russian ambassador chuckled. “Thank you for your remarks on Russian men. Lavrov is married by the way, so he is coming…but he is a womaniser”.
This isn’t the first major summit that Putin has missed since the arrest warrant was issued against him this March. Last month, the Russian president participated in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) grouping via video call.
Putin had also missed the G20 Summit in Bali last year after some Western leaders threatened to boycott the event.
Also Read: Chances of Xi attending G20 Summit in Delhi ‘low, Chinese Premier Li Qiang could come instead’