Russian President Vladimir Putin looks destined to be on his way to Brisbane in November after a push to have him banned from the G20 summit was seemingly put to bed in Cairns on Saturday.
And Queensland's political leaders, who were vocal in their desire to have Mr Putin remain in the Kremlin, remained silent on the issue after Treasurer Joe Hockey left the door open for the Russian president.
Speaking at a G20 meeting of finance ministers in Cairns on Saturday, Mr Hockey said it was the "emphatic view" of those attending that Russia ought to attend November's leader's summit in Brisbane.
"There was a view that the door should always remain open to keep the dialogue going," Mr Hockey said.
"Ultimately that will be the best way to alleviate some of the geopolitical challenges that are faced by many countries as a result of Russia's actions, and others' actions, over the last few months."
Premier Campbell Newman was among Australia's most vocal critics of Mr Putin's G20 in the days after Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was shot down by Russian-backed separatists over the Ukraine on July 17.
Seven Queenslanders lost their lives in the disaster.
"If Mr Putin's not prepared to (fully co-operate with independent, international investigations), then frankly I believe that Queenslanders don't want him here at the G20," Mr Newman said on July 19, the day of the Stafford by-election.
Despite those strong comments in July, the Premier ducked the issue on Saturday in the wake of Mr Hockey's more conciliatory tone.
A spokesman for Mr Newman said the Premier would make no further comment from those in July, other than to say Mr Putin's attendance was a matter for the federal government.
Mr Newman was not the only Queensland politician singing from the anti-Putin hymn sheet in July.
In the days after the MH17 disaster both Queensland Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk and Greens Senator Larissa Waters joined Mr Newman in questioning Mr Putin's attendance at the G20.
Ms Palaszczuk said in July Mr Putin "should not be welcomed to Brisbane for G20" should any Russian link to the MH17 disaster be proven.
Both she and Senator Waters, who in July said Mr Putin should "reconsider his attendance" at the G20, were unavailable on Saturday.
