Peskov: the decision on Putin’s trip to the BRICS summit has not yet been made

The decision on the trip of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the BRICS summit, which will be held in South Africa in August 2023, has not yet been made. This was announced by the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov.

“No, a decision has not yet been made,” he said, answering a related question at a daily briefing.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Russian Federation, on March 17. This decision obliges the member states of the court, including South Africa, to arrest the wanted persons and transfer them to The Hague.

In the Kremlin before notedthat the decisions of the ICC have no legal force for the Russian Federation and are void. The Russian Foreign Ministry also said that the decisions of the ICC do not matter to Moscow.

On March 20, South African presidential spokesman Vincent Magvenia noted that the country “is aware of its legal obligations” in connection with the issuance of a warrant for Putin’s arrest. Later South African authorities reportedthat they will hold consultations with Russia in connection with the situation that has arisen, and admitted Immunity for heads of state from ICC arrest warrants.

The day before, March 23, at the South African Foreign Ministry confirmedthat the Russian leader was invited to the BRICS summit, despite the fact that the decision of the ICC “is some cause for concern.” The department also drew attention to double standards, noting that the court had not previously been interested in “many other countries involved in conflicts.”