Russian leader Putin to defy ICC arrest warrant, visit South Africa

Russian leader Vladmir Putin plans to visit South Africa in August, the Kremlin has announced. His visit comes barely days after the International Criminal Court in Hague issued an arrest warrant for him over “war crimes, and abduction of children” in Ukraine.

South Africa says it is aware of the legal obligations associated with the warrant for his arrest, — Reuters

In August, Putin is expected to attend a summit that will bring together Brazil, Russia, India, China, and Africa.

According to the agency, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesman Vincent Magwenya said the South African government was aware of its legal obligations but would “continue to engage with stakeholders” before the summit.

“We take note of the report on the arrest warrant issued by the ICC. South Africa remains committed and keen to see the conflict in Ukraine resolved peacefully through negotiations,” Magwenya said.

The Kremlin however says Putin will attend the summit and nothing like his arrest will be effected as anticipated.

South Africa, a signatory to the Rome statute in 2015 faced the same tough decision on then Sudanes President Omar Bashir who was under an ICC arrest warrant. Pretoria resolved to allow Bashir to exit the country after hours of tension.