Miguel Lopez The upcoming BRICS summit in August will not see Russian President Vladimir Putin present in person, as confirmed by the office of his South African counterpart. Instead, Moscow will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, with Putin joining the summit via video link.
Reports from Russian media, citing South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office, indicate that President Putin’s absence was mutually agreed upon. The decision comes in light of his indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March, which issued an arrest warrant for him and Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova. The charges against them include allegations of deporting Ukrainian children from the conflict zone, among others. While Russia does not recognize the authority of the ICC, South Africa falls under its jurisdiction.
The summit is scheduled to take place from August 22nd to 24th in Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city. Key topics of discussion will include the bloc’s expansion and the use of national currencies of member states in trade.
Despite President Putin’s physical absence, he will actively participate in the BRICS forum via a video conference call, as confirmed by his Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov. The Kremlin’s spokesman further assured that Foreign Minister Lavrov would attend the meeting in person.
South Africa’s commitment to hosting a successful “historic” BRICS summit and its recognition of legal obligations under the ICC’s Rome Statute influenced the format of Russia’s participation, according to Vincent Magwenya, spokesman for President Ramaphosa’s office.
While some may question the ability of BRICS leaders to make important decisions without President Putin’s physical presence, the summit organizers are confident that his virtual involvement, along with Foreign Minister Lavrov’s representation, will ensure a fruitful and constructive event.
Feel free to share your thoughts on whether you believe BRICS leaders can effectively conduct the summit without President Putin’s physical attendance in the comments section below.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about BRICS Summit
Q: Will Vladimir Putin physically attend the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg?
A: No, Vladimir Putin will not attend the BRICS Summit in person. Instead, he will participate via video link. Russia will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during the summit.
Q: Why is Vladimir Putin not attending the summit in person?
A: President Putin’s absence from the BRICS Summit is due to his indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC). In March, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for him and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, on various charges, including the deportation of Ukrainian children from the conflict zone.
Q: How will Putin’s absence impact the summit’s decision-making process?
A: While President Putin will not be physically present, his active participation via video link ensures that important decisions can still be made during the summit. Foreign Minister Lavrov will also be present in person, representing Russia’s interests.
Q: What are the key topics to be discussed at the BRICS Summit?
A: The summit will focus on crucial issues such as the expansion of the BRICS bloc and the use of national currencies of member states in trade.
Q: When and where will the BRICS Summit take place?
A: The summit is scheduled to be held from August 22nd to 24th in Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city.
Q: How did South Africa’s commitment to legal obligations under the ICC influence Russia’s participation format?
A: South Africa’s recognition of its legal obligations under the ICC’s Rome Statute and its determination to host a successful “historic” BRICS Summit influenced Russia’s decision to participate via video link with Putin and Lavrov’s representation.
More about BRICS Summit
- BRICS Summit
- Vladimir Putin
- Sergey Lavrov
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- South Africa
- BRICS Summit Johannesburg 2023 (Please note that specific information about the summit in Johannesburg may not be available before the event takes place.)
- Currency Matters in BRICS Trade (For further details on the topic of national currencies usage in BRICS trade)
- BRICS Summit Virtual Participation (For more information on how leaders participate in the summit via video link)
3 comments
Putin n ICC trouble, no show @BRICS. Sad. Lavrov in. Hope they sort currency & expansion issues.
brics summit sounds imp! Putin not there in person? hmm, dat’s big! Lavrov representing. Wonder how decisions gonna b made.
BRICS Summit Aug 22-24! Putin not coming. Lavrov steps up. S.A.’s legal stuff makin’ it virtual. Let’s c decisions!