By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in the BRICS summit in August, virtually.
This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s statement that Putin will not be attending the BRICS Summit “by mutual agreement”, adding that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would lead his country’s delegation.
South Africa’s BRICS “Sherpa” Anil Sooklal, the Ambassador-at-large for BRICS, said the decision that Putin will not come to South Africa was taken in full consultation with all BRICS leaders.
“But he will attend the summit virtually. He will be involved in all of the sessions that the leaders are partaking in the traditional summit of BRICS leaders,” Sooklal told the press.
In addition, the Russian President will also deliver his closing remarks virtually at the BRICS Business Council and all the other deliberations of the conference.
“Although Lavrov will be physically present, Putin will participate virtually,” he stressed.
This is after the International Criminal Court (ICC) judges issued arrest warrants against Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova in March for allegedly being responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation and transfer of children from Ukraine to Russia.
According to Sooklal, who is a representative of the Head of State tasked with preparing for international summits, this was “unusual”.
He reminded the media that last year, he also did not attend a gathering of leaders from the Group of 20 (G20) nations in Jakarta, Indonesia.
“It was because of the good relationship that he has with Indonesia and President Joko Wododo. He didn’t want to collapse that summit because there was a threat that if he attended the summit, certain leaders would walk out and the summit would collapse, “he explained.
“He considered that he wanted Indonesia to have a successful conference and he sent Lavrov.”
Sooklal believes that the agreement that has been reached by BRICS leaders reflects Ramaphosa’s job well done.
“He has engaged all parties and not just Putin. This decision wasn’t just taken between Ramaphosa and Putin.”
He added that the country’s First Citizen in the past several months has engaged all BRICS leaders.
“He has spoken to them personally several times, discussing this issue. As I said, BRICS is a consensus-based entity,” he explained.
“Putin understands the dilemma South Africa faces and didnt want to jeopardise the summit or create problems for South Africa and this is the strength of BRICS cooperation.”
He also outlined the three-day programme of the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa that will take place from 22 to 24 August 2023 at the Sandton Convention Centre.
This includes a media briefing led by the Heads of State, dinner, and cultural activities.
For the first time, he said the summit, will incorporate the participation of the youth.
He also said that they have invited a total of 69, including Global South leaders and believes that this year’s gathering will be the largest yet.
“President Emmanuel Macron has also asked to attend the summit. There’s a high interest in the summit.”
Sooklal said Ministers in BRICS, a group of emerging markets — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, will soon deliberate on the issue of expansion.
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Video Courtesy of SABC.