The Kremlin said on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not travel to South Africa for a G20 summit in Johannesburg on November 22-23, but that Russia would be represented at a high level.

The G20, a grouping of 19 countries as well as the European Union and the African Union, is deeply divided on key issues from Russia's war in Ukraine to climate change.

South Africa currently holds the G20 presidency, after which the US takes over.

US President Donald Trump said in July that he might skip the G20 leaders' summit and send someone else to represent the United States, citing his disapproval of South African policies.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously urged Trump to attend the summit.

Trump has taken issue with South African domestic and foreign policies - ranging from its land policy to its case accusing Israel of genocide in its war on Gaza.

Earlier this year, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also boycotted a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in South Africa.