Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit South Africa in August to attend a Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) summit, and host Pretoria is very much aware of its “legal obligation” concerning the visit, presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said on Sunday.
Magwenya said this in connection with the warrant of arrest issued by the International Court of Justice (ICC) based at the Hague in the Netherlands against the Russian leader “for allegedly committing crimes against humanity” in the deportation of Ukrainian children into Russia, among other alleged war crimes.
“We, as the government, are cognisant of our legal obligation. However, between now and the summit, we will remain engaged with various relevant stakeholders on the issue,” Magwenya said.
He added: “It remains South Africa’s commitment and a very strong desire that the conflict in Ukraine is resolved peacefully through negotiations.”
Putin invaded Ukraine on 24 February last year, and South Africa has not condemned Moscow’s incursion which the Russian leader described as a “special military operation.”
However, such a visit would put Pretoria in an awkward position after the ICC’s arrest warrant was issued to Putin.
Meanwhile, there has been no official confirmation of Putin’s visit to the country to attend the 15th BRICS summit as he did in 2013.
NM/jn/APA