BRICS Summit: Putin cancels South African trip over ICC arrest warrant
Russian President Vladimir Putin has cancelled his trip to South Africa to attend the BRICS Summit.
Mr Putin was invited to the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg this August but is the target of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant – a provision that Pretoria as an ICC member, would be expected to implement were he to attend.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who confirmed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, said Mr Putin would now be represented by Sergey Lavrov, the country’s foreign minister.
“By mutual agreement, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will not attend the summit, but the Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister Mr Sergey Lavrov,” Mr Ramaphosa said.
The South African president added, “It will be the first BRICS Summit to be hosted in person since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent global restrictions.”
Mr Ramaphosa had earlier warned that any attempt to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin as he plans to visit the country next month would be “a declaration of war with Russia.”
“Russia has made it clear that arresting its sitting president would be a declaration of war,” Mr Ramaphosa said in court documents released Tuesday.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Anti-Corruption
Adeboye ordered RCCG to return billions in suspected illicit funds traced to church, says EFCC chairman
The EFCC chairman said some wealthy individuals and politicians had been using churches to conceal proceeds of corruption.
States
BEDC announces salary increase for staff
Mr Lawani expressed regret that the industrial action occurred before the agreed date for concluding negotiations.
States
Troops rescue 119 civilians, recover eight vehicles in Borno
The report said the operation was conducted by troops of 135 Special Forces Battalion.
Education
UNIMAID alumni urged to invest in university’s growth, development
Mr Mele said the institution had produced graduates making significant contributions globally.
States
2027: Benue SDP governorship candidate pledges cheaper farm inputs
The candidate also promised to establish large warehouses and silos to store agricultural produce.
Heading 1
Ghana introduces mandatory health declaration form for incoming travellers
The service said the measure would help improve the tracking of public health risks.
