Putin declines to attend BRICS summit owing to possible arrest

Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided not to attend the BRICS summit in South Africa as he may face arrest on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.

Russia will be represented at the BRICS summit in the republic by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Kommersant reports, citing the office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

A press release on Ramaphosa's website says that the summit will be attended in person by the leaders of Brazil, India, China and South Africa.

"By mutual agreement, Russian President Vladimir Putin will not participate in the summit, but the Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov", - the office of the South African President specified.

On July 18, Reuters, citing court documents, wrote that Ramaposa appealed to the ICC and asked to allow Pretoria not to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin - in case of his arrival in the country - because the arrest would be tantamount to a declaration of war to Moscow.