Russia rejects South Africa’s request for Lavrov to attend BRICS Summit instead of Putin

Russia rejected South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s request for Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to attend the BRICS Summit instead of President Vladimir Putin, reports South Africa’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

On March 17, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Putin. South Africa, which is set to host the BRICS Summit in August 2023, is a signatory to the ICC.

“We understand we are bound by the Rome Statute, but we can’t invite someone, and then arrest him. We would be happy if he [Putin] doesn’t come,” said Mashatile, according to RBK media group.

The outlet wrote that South Africa had offered three possible solutions: either the Russian Foreign Ministry could lead the Russian delegation, Putin could participate in the summit online, or China, a BRICS member, could host the event.

According to Mashatile, India and Brazil (two other members of BRICS) were against hosting the event in China.