Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be attending the upcoming BRICS group of nations’ summit in South Africa next month due to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. South Africa, as a member of the ICC, would have been obligated to arrest Putin upon his arrival. The agreement between South Africa and the Kremlin resolves the diplomatic quandary faced by South Africa. Putin’s absence from the summit is a blow to his attempt to portray himself as a global leader with strong allies. Instead, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will represent the country at the summit. The ICC has accused Putin of war crimes related to the abduction and forced transport of Ukrainian children to Russian-controlled territory. This arrest warrant severely limits Putin’s international travel. Although South Africa is seen as a friend of Russia in Africa, the country’s obligations under the Rome Statute and its incorporation into South African law made it impossible to allow Putin’s attendance without breaching the law. The pressure from Russia on South Africa to find a solution shows a lack of equal partnership, according to analysts. Putin’s handling of the war in Ukraine and the imposition of a naval blockade on Ukrainian grain have undermined his influence in Africa. African leaders are expected to press Putin to lift the blockade at the upcoming summit.
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