Russia’s President Vladimir Putin will not be attending a summit in South Africa next month, according to the country’s presidency. The decision comes after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that any attempt to arrest Putin would be seen as a declaration of war against Russia. If Putin had left Russian soil, he would have been subject to an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. South Africa, as an ICC signatory, was expected to assist in his arrest.
Instead, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will represent the country at the two-day summit, as confirmed by a spokesperson for President Ramaphosa. The invitation extended to Putin, who is wanted for war crimes in Ukraine, has sparked significant controversy within South Africa. The Democratic Alliance, the country’s largest opposition party, even went to court in an attempt to force authorities to arrest Putin if he were to set foot in the country.
Court documents have revealed that President Ramaphosa was firmly against the idea of arresting Putin, citing national security concerns. He stated in an affidavit that Russia had made it clear that arresting its sitting president would be considered a declaration of war. Ramaphosa argued that engaging in war with Russia would be inconsistent with South Africa’s constitution.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied that Moscow had explicitly told South Africa that arresting Putin would be an act of war. However, he emphasized that it was evident to everyone what such an infringement against the head of the Russian state would mean.
Russia has consistently dismissed the ICC arrest warrant as outrageous and legally void, asserting that the country is not a member of the organization. The upcoming summit in South Africa, which brings together the Brics countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), is seen by some as an alternative to the G7 group of advanced economies.
How could President Ramaphosa’s statement on democratic principles and human rights influence international attendance, cooperation, and discussions at the upcoming summit in South Africa
Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, has decided not to attend a summit in South Africa next month, as confirmed by the country’s presidency. This decision arises following the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa’s statement that any participation in the summit would be conditioned by adherence to democratic principles and human rights.
It is concerning that the Russian President’s absence at the South Africa Summit has created controversy. Such important global gatherings require the presence and participation of world leaders to address various pressing issues collectively. This absence only raises questions and fuels speculations, emphasizing the need for transparent communication from the Russian government.