Presidency says Putin will not attend Brics summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the summit of the Brics group of nations in South Africa in August “by mutual agreement”, South Africa’s presidency said on Wednesday.

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Russia will be represented by its Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov instead, the presidency said in a statement.

Read: SA shuns pressure to take sides in Russia-Ukraine war

South Africa faced a dilemma in hosting the summit because, as a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), it would theoretically be required to arrest Putin for alleged war crimes if he were to attend.

The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Putin.

Read: Brics leaders to discuss Russian war in Ukraine at August summit

The leaders of Brazil, India, China and South Africa will attend the summit, the presidency said.