South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the BRICS economic summit in Johannesburg, South Africa next month.
According to international media reports, the International Criminal Court (ICC) An arrest warrant was issued against Putin, after which there was intense pressure on South Africa to arrest Putin, who was coming to attend the meeting, but Putin gave up the decision to attend the meeting, easing the difficulties of the President.
Earlier, Cyril Ramaphosa said that if Putin was arrested during his visit to South Africa, a world war could break out. Ramaphosa’s office said the decision for Putin not to attend had been made by “mutual agreement”.
However, instead of him, Russia will be represented by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the summit meeting to be held on August 22 to 24. Media reports have said that the Russian President will not attend the meeting.
The decision means that South Africa will not have to face the dilemma of whether it should implement the ICC’s arrest warrant or maintain friendly relations with the Russian president.
India, China and South Africa are members. In addition, South Africa is a signatory to the treaty establishing the ICC, under which it is bound to arrest Putin.
