South Africa’s presidency confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be attending the upcoming BRICS summit in Johannesburg in August. The decision was reached “by mutual agreement,” and Russia will be represented by its Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, at the event. The summit will see the participation of leaders from Brazil, India, China, and South Africa.
The decision not to host Putin stemmed from South Africa’s membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC). As a member of the ICC, the country would hypothetically be obligated to arrest Putin due to an ICC-issued arrest warrant accusing him of war crimes. The warrant alleges that Putin was involved in the illegal deportation of children from Ukraine.
However, Russia contends that the arrest warrant holds no legal validity as the country is not a member of the ICC. Russia has publicly acknowledged a program that relocated thousands of Ukrainian children to its territory, citing it as a humanitarian effort to protect orphans and those left vulnerable in the war zone.
In a bid to avoid potential conflicts, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa sought permission from the ICC not to arrest Putin, as such an action could be interpreted as a declaration of war. Despite facing criticism from Western powers for its perceived pro-Russia stance, South Africa maintains its neutrality in the Ukraine conflict.
The BRICS summit serves as a critical platform for emerging economies, fostering cooperation and addressing shared challenges. With Putin’s absence, Foreign Minister Lavrov will represent Russia in discussing key issues alongside the leaders of Brazil, India, China, and South Africa.
For more such news stay tuned to FELA News!
