RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin is no longer coming to Mzansi!
This was confirmed by the Presidency in a statement on Wednesday, 19 July.
President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesman Vincent Magwenya said: "By mutual agreement, the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, will not attend the (BRICS) Summit, but the Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov."
The South African government has been criticised for insisting that Putin attend next month's summit amid controversy over the country's non-aligned stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The decision comes just a day after Ramaphosa said arresting Putin would amount to declaring war on Russia.
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He was responding to a DA court bid to arrest Putin on the basis of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for war crimes.
"Russia has made it clear that arresting its sitting president would be a declaration of war. It would be against our constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia," Ramaphosa said in court documents.
Magwenya said Ramaphosa has held a series of consultations in recent months and weeks on the hosting of the summit, which will be attended by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
He said the president is confident the summit will be a success.
"President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed South Africa's readiness to host the historic 15th BRICS Summit. It will be the first BRICS Summit to be hosted in person since the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent global restrictions," Magwenya said.
Meanwhile, the first deputy secretary-general of ANC, Nomvula Mokonyane, said the ruling party was in talks with Russia in connection with its decision to suspend its participation in a grain trade.
The agreement allowed Ukrainian grain to be exported to the rest of the world, including some African countries.
"The issues around the withdrawal by Russia (from the deal) will have serious impact and hence it is a discussion item here," said Mokonyane.
