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In a significant development, Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially announced that he will not attend the upcoming BRICS summit in Johannesburg in late August in person. This decision follows months of speculation sparked by an arrest warrant issued against Putin and Russian official Maria Lvova-Belova by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of alleged war crimes committed in Ukraine.
President Cyril Ramaphosa's office has disclosed that Putin's absence at the conference was a result of a “mutual agreement.” As an alternative, the Kremlin will be represented by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during the summit. While other leaders from BRICS member countries – Brazil, India, and China – are expected to attend the event in person, Putin will join via video link.
The ICC's arrest warrant, issued in March, revolves around allegations of a scheme to forcibly deport Ukrainian children to Russia during the brutal invasion that unfolded in February 2022. South Africa, being a signatory to the Rome Statute, is legally bound to arrest individuals indicted by the ICC. However, South African lawmakers have been divided over their responsibility to apprehend Putin if he sets foot on their soil.
The decision to have Putin participate virtually at the summit significantly undermines Russia's efforts to rebuild solidarity with key allies, as the nation faces increasing isolation following the Ukraine invasion. Western diplomats have been critical of South African lawmakers' perceived show of solidarity with Russia during this conflict.
Despite South African government officials maintaining a neutral stance, they have refrained from condemning Russia in United Nations General Assembly votes. Earlier this year, South Africa faced accusations of hosting joint war games involving the Chinese and Russian navies, as well as allegations of loading arms onto a sanctioned Russian vessel in December. Cape Town, however, staunchly denies any wrongdoing in this regard.
The announcement of Putin's virtual participation came after the release of a confidential affidavit by President Ramaphosa, ordered by a high court judge in Johannesburg. The affidavit was submitted in response to legal action initiated by an opposition party that sought to compel Putin's arrest. Ramaphosa cited the complexity of executing such an arrest request, highlighting Russia's warning that arresting a sitting president would be tantamount to a declaration of war. The South African Constitution makes it inconsistent to risk engaging the nation in armed conflict with Russia.
In response to Ramaphosa's claims, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied conveying any warnings, emphasizing that the implications of encroaching upon the head of the Russian state are widely understood, making further explanations unnecessary.
This situation draws parallels to 2015 when South African authorities failed to arrest Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir during his visit, despite his ICC indictment for war crimes and crimes against humanity connected to the Darfur genocide.
As the BRICS summit draws near, the international community remains vigilant in observing unfolding developments amidst the delicate diplomatic situation surrounding Putin's virtual participation and the contentious ICC arrest warrant controversy.
