Putin would risk arrest by attending August BRICS summit in South Africa

This was reported by Reuters.

South Africa is aware of its legal obligation, a spokesperson for President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday, referring to a proposed visit by Vladimir Putin after an international court issued an arrest warrant against the Russian leader.

Russian President Putin is expected to visit South Africa in August for the BRICS summit.

"We are, as the government, cognisant of our legal obligation. However, between now and the summit we will remain engaged with various relevant stakeholders," spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said.

Although there was no official confirmation of Putin's visit, he is expected to attend the 15th BRICS summit, as he did in 2013.

It said such a visit would put Ramaphosa's government, which has not condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in a precarious position following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday.

"We note the report on the warrant of arrest that the ICC has issued. It remains South Africa's commitment and very strong desire that the conflict in Ukraine is resolved peacefully through negotiations," he added.

• On March 17, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, and the  Russian Commissioner for Children's Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova.

• Representatives of various states and international organizations reacted to this decision. Later, they were joined by representatives of Great Britain and Canada, who unequivocally supported the position of the court.

• US President Joe Biden said that the warrant for Putin's arrest is justified because the Russian president has committed war crimes.