Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided not to attend the upcoming BRICS summit in South Africa, according to a statement released by the South African presidency.
South Africa downplays Putin’s decision to drop out of BRICS Summit
The decision was described as a “mutual agreement,” with Russia choosing to send its Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as its representative instead.
The BRICS summit, which brings together the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is scheduled to take place in Johannesburg in August 2023
Challenges Faced by South Africa
South Africa found itself in a challenging situation due to its membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC).
As a member of the ICC, there were concerns that South Africa would be obligated to arrest President Putin if he were to attend the summit, as the ICC had issued an arrest warrant for him in Marc 2023.
The warrant accuses Putin of war crimes related to the alleged illegal deportation of children from Ukraine. Russia has maintained that the warrant is legally invalid since it is not a member of the ICC.
Potential Legal Implications
In an effort to navigate this delicate situation, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa sought permission from the ICC to refrain from arresting Putin.
The president argued that arresting the Russian leader would be seen as a declaration of war. A local court submission revealed this request on Tuesday, shedding light on the complexities South Africa faced in hosting the summit and maintaining its neutrality in the Ukraine conflict.
Russia’s Response and Clarification
The Kremlin has responded to reports suggesting that Russia warned South Africa of potential “war” if Putin were to be arrested. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov clarified that Russia did not explicitly convey such a message to South Africa.
However, Peskov emphasised that the consequences of infringing on Putin’s rights were well understood by all parties involved.
South Africa’s Neutral Stance and Criticisms
South Africa has maintained its neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, asserting that it does not take sides. However, its perceived friendliness towards Russia has drawn criticism from Western powers, who view Russia as a historical ally of the ruling African National Congress.