Lavrov to replace Putin at South Africa summit amid ICC arrest warrant

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, will not attend the summit of the Brics group of nations in South Africa in August “by mutual agreement”, with foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov taking his place.

A statement released by South Africa’s presidency on Wednesday said: “By mutual agreement, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will not attend the summit but the Russian Federation will be represented by foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov,” reports The Guardian.

On Tuesday, South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, had asked permission from the ICC not to arrest Putin, because to do so would amount to a declaration of war, according to a local court submission.

On Wednesday, Russia said it did not tell South Africa that arresting Putin on a warrant from the ICC would mean “war”.

South Africa is due to host a summit of Brics nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – next month. But the ICC has an arrest warrant out for Putin, accusing him of the war crime of deporting Ukrainian children to Russia. South Africa, as an ICC member, is obliged to arrest him should he appear in person at the summit.

/MHK/