Putin likely to attend BRICS summit after South Africa grants diplomatic immunity to attendees

When asked if Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the Brics meeting in South Africa in August, a Kremlin official said Russia will participate “at the appropriate level.”

The Russian president was invited earlier this year, but due to a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), South Africa is anticipated to arrest him if he attends.

Brazil, Russia, China, India, and South Africa are members of the Brics alliance, which represents some of the world’s largest growing economies.

“Russia places a high value on the development of this integration format.” And Russia will participate in this summit at the appropriate level,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said during a press conference.

Mr Peskov pledged to provide “all the details” later, according to Russia’s Tass news agency.

When asked about the arrest warrant, he told Reuters, “Of course, we count as a bare minimum on partner countries in such an important format not being guided by such illegal decisions.”

South Africa has awarded diplomatic immunity to summit participants, but a foreign affairs spokeswoman said such immunity was common for international events and did not overturn warrants issued by international tribunals.

The International Criminal Court has charged Mr Putin with crimes against humanity committed during the Ukraine conflict. South Africa has failed to denounce Russia’s incursion, claiming that it prefers to remain neutral.

The International Criminal Court (ICC)’s hopes that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not visit South Africa or risk being arrested, has been dashed.

This comes after a top Russian official hinted that Putin will be visiting South Africa, at the heels of a diplomatic immunity granted to all foreign officials attending the BRICS by the South African foreign minister.

When asked if President Putin will attend the Brics meeting in South Africa in August, a Kremlin official said Russia will participate “at the appropriate level.”

The Russian president was invited earlier this year, but due to a warrant issued by the ICC South Africa was expected to arrest him if he attends.

Brazil, Russia, China, India, and South Africa are members of the Brics alliance, which represents some of the world’s largest growing economies.

“Russia places a high value on the development of this integration format.” And Russia will participate in this summit at the appropriate level,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said during a press conference.

Mr Peskov pledged to provide “all the details” later, according to Russia’s Tass news agency.

When asked about the arrest warrant, he told Reuters, “Of course, we count as a bare minimum on partner countries in such an important format not being guided by such illegal decisions.”

South Africa has awarded diplomatic immunity to summit participants, but a foreign affairs spokeswoman said such immunity was common for international events and did not overturn warrants issued by international tribunals.

The International Criminal Court has charged Mr Putin with crimes against humanity committed during the Ukraine conflict. South Africa has failed to denounce Russia’s incursion, claiming that it prefers to remain neutral.

Mimi Mefo Info