JOHANNESBURG — Russian President Vladimir Putin won’t attend the summit of the BRICS group of countries in South Africa in August “by mutual agreement,” South Africa’s presidency mentioned on Wednesday.
Russia can be represented by its Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as an alternative, the presidency mentioned in an announcement.
South Africa confronted a dilemma in internet hosting the summit as a result of, as a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), it will theoretically be required to arrest Putin for alleged warfare crimes if he had been to attend.
On Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa requested the ICC for an exemption, saying that arresting Putin would quantity to a declaration of warfare on Russia.
The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Putin.
The leaders of Brazil, India, China and South Africa will attend the summit, the presidency mentioned. — Reuters
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
