G20 nations want Putin at leaders\\\' summit

CAIRNS, Australia, Sept 20 (AFP) : Vladimir Putin is set to attend the G20 leaders' summit in November despite alarm over Russia's actions in Ukraine with host Australia Saturday saying it was the "emphatic" wish of member nations.
There had been question marks over whether Moscow should be invited to the high-powered forum in Brisbane with the brutal five-month conflict that has killed around 3,000 people still unresolved.
Opposition to Putin's attendance intensified after a Malaysia Airlines plane was shot down over eastern Ukraine in July, killing all 298 onboard including 38 Australian citizens or residents.
Kiev and the West have accused separatists of downing it with a surface-to-air missile supplied by Russia-a charge Moscow denies.
As the G20's rotating president, Australia has been canvassing the views of other member nations about what to do. Despite Western concern about Moscow's territorial ambitions, Treasurer Joe Hockey said the consensus was that Russia should attend the leaders' summit to help address the geo-political tensions.