The door has been left open for Russian president Vladimir Putin to attend the G20 Leaders' Summit in Brisbane after Treasurer Joe Hockey said on Saturday he expects Russia to take part in the November meetings.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Hockey said he consulted with a number of G20 members about Russia's involvement in the Leaders' Summit and the "emphatic view" was that Russia still ought to attend, despite international condemnation of its behaviour in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott late last month said Russia's bullying behaviour towards Ukraine was "utterly reprehensible".
"It is an invasion, let's call it for what it is, it is an invasion of Ukraine," Mr Abbott told Macquarie Radio.
Mr Hockey said on Saturday: "There was a view that the door should always remain open to keep the dialogue going.
"Ultimately that will be the best way to alleviate some of the geopolitical challenges that are faced by many countries as a result of Russia's actions, and others' actions, over the last few months," he said.
Late last month, Mr Abbott said Australia would follow the European Union and the United States in imposing another round of sanctions on Russia in the wake of claims that at least 1000 Russian troops as well as tanks and other military hardware had flowed across the border with Ukraine in recent weeks.
"If Russian troops remain in Ukraine and if Russia persists in its attempts to break up a neighbouring country that has done it no harm, Russia risks becoming an international pariah," Mr Abbott told Parliament.
Mr Hockey on Saturday said despite Australia's concern about Russia's behaviour in Ukraine, the G20 was an economic forum and political differences should be set aside for the weekend.
"[Russia is] a member of the G20 [and] we expect that they will attend the G20 meetings," he said.
The G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting is taking place in Cairns this weekend.
The world's most powerful central bank governors and finance ministers have gathered there for a series of highly charged economic meetings.
It will be one of their last chances to discuss as a group the problems afflicting the global economy before the all important G20 Leaders' Summit in November.