A spokesperson for President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday that South Africa is aware of its legal obligation with respect to the proposed visit by President Vladimir Putin after an international court issued an arrest warrant against the Russian leader.
“We are, as the government, cognisant of our legal obligation. However, between now and the summit we will remain engaged with various relevant stakeholders,” spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said.
Putin is expected to visit South Africa in August to attend a BRICS summit. Although there has been no official confirmation of Putin’s visit, he is expected to attend the 15th BRICS summit, as he did in 2013.
The arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday would place Ramaphosa’s government, which has not condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in a precarious position, if South Africa receives Putin.
“We note the report on the warrant of arrest that the ICC has issued,” Magwenya said.
“It remains South Africa’s commitment and very strong desire that the conflict in Ukraine is resolved peacefully through negotiations.”