A DECISION has yet to be taken on whether Vladimir Putin will attend the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, the Russian ambassador to the UK has said.

But Andrei Kelin insisted Russia would send a "large delegation" to the talks.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has already been warned that China's President Xi Jinping is unlikely to attend.

COP26, which will take place from October 31 to November 12, is expected to draw around 30,000 people to Glasgow, including world leaders such as US President Joe Biden.

But on Wednesday, President Putin said he may not attend "due to the pandemic situation".

Mr Kelin was asked about the position during an interview on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show.

He said: "As I understand, a decision on his [Putin's] brief has not been taken yet.

"But we will send a large delegation - believe me, it will be a delegation that will consist of more than 200 people. 

"The government will get represented at a high level."

Asked if the Russian team will come to COP26 with "concrete, clear plans" on cutting carbon emissions, Mr Kelin said they took the issue "very seriously". 

He said Russia has committed to net-zero emissions by 2060 - the same date as China. The UK has committed to net-zero by 2050, while Scotland has set an earlier date of 2045.

Mr Kelin said: "We do not believe that putting artificial goals and not very much calculated goals will help in this situation."