Russian President Vladimir Putin may yet attend next week’s Group of 20 Leaders’ Summit – albeit virtually – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo suggested on Tuesday, as host nation Indonesia inches toward the pinnacle of a year-long G20 presidency beset by the distraction of war.

Putin’s attendance at the G20 main event has become the subject of tireless speculation, ever since Russia invaded Ukraine in February in a “special operation” that had cost countless lives, split international opinion, thrust the global economy into a deeper crisis and disrupted policy making initiatives that may impact the lives of billions of people.

For its part, G20 chair Indonesia has tried to keep the forum of the world’s biggest economies intact, prioritizing international cooperation over geopolitical tensions and pressure to exclude Russia from the group’s activities.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a site visit to Tahura, Bali, President Jokowi said that based on communications with Moscow, Putin was still feeling out the situation.

“He said that he will be there if the circumstances allow it. If not, maybe he’ll ask to do it virtually,” the President said.

In his capacity as host, President Jokowi has tried to convince Putin to come to Bali, even though his Russian counterpart has left “strong impressions” of potentially skipping the event.

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In an interview with The Jakarta Post last week, the President said he had spoken to Putin on the phone to confirm his attendance. Meanwhile, in an interview with the Financial Times published on Monday, he said the Russian leader impressed on him that he might not go.

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