Vladimir Putin will attend the G20 in Brisbane next month, with Treasurer Joe Hockey confirming his attendance, saying there’s nothing the Australian government can do to prevent it.

Despite earlier signals the government would block Mr Putin’s attendance at the event, Mr Hockey said it was the view of Barack Obama and other G20 leaders that Mr Putin should attend, according to a report by The Australian.

• Pressure to ban Russian president from G20
• Climate ‘not a priority’ at G20

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he would use the G20 leaders summit to press upon Mr Putin the concern that the perpetrators of MH17 were yet to be brought to justice.

“What I’ll be wanting from the Russian President is an assurance from him that he and Russia will do everything they can to ensure that now, at least, justice is done,” Mr Abbott said.