Vladimir Putin wants to attend an economic summit in Johannesburg next month, but the country is desperately trying to persuade him not to attend to avoid the legal and diplomatic consequences of his international arrest warrant, South Africa’s vice president said on Friday, Sky News reported.

As a signatory to the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court, South Africa is required to arrest Putin under an indictment the court brought against the Russian leader in March for war crimes related to the abduction of children in Ukraine.

Moscow rejected the mandate.

South African authorities are likely to violate the treaty and not arrest Putin, but some opposition parties, human rights groups and human rights activists have said he should be arrested and have threatened to do so themselves, raising security concerns for the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India). , China, South Africa) summit in Johannesburg.

Having already decided not to condemn Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, South Africa faces the prospect of further straining relations with the West if it allows Putin to freely attend a summit of the BRICS bloc, made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Since the issuance of the warrant for his arrest, Putin has not yet visited the country that is a signatory to the court agreement.

“This is a big dilemma for us. Of course we cannot arrest him,” said Vice President Paul Mashatile.

“It’s almost like inviting your friend over to your house and then arresting him. Therefore, for us, the fact that he does not come is the best decision. But the Russians are not satisfied. They want him to come,” he said.

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