Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa says he is currently considering the matter of Russian President Vladimir Putin attending the Brics summit in August.
This deliberation comes in the wake of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing a warrant for Putin’s arrest, accusing him of war crimes in Ukraine.
As the host of the summit, South Africa is engaging in discussions to establish a definitive stance regarding Putin’s participation.
“The issue of president Putin attending the summit, the Brics summit as I have said is being discussed in the light of the International Criminal Court having issued a warrant for his arrest.
“We being South Africa being the host, obviously, have to discuss this and come up with a clear position,” the president said while addressing the media on Tuesday after bilateral talks with Portuguese counterpart President Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa, who is on a state visit to South Africa, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
President Cyril Ramaphosa says he will announce in due course the decision regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin attending the BRICS summit. Ramaphosa says he’s still deliberating on the matter. #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/xr9ytzMKGR
— eNCA (@eNCA) June 6, 2023
Ramaphosa said the issue will be well handled.
“Much of what you hear being said around is really just talk. As I said in one press conference, in the end you will hear from me. I will be the one who will say this is what is going to happen,” he said.
Ramaphosa confirmed that a committee, led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, convened for its inaugural meeting on Monday. The committee’s objective is to explore the available options for the government in response to the ICC’s warrant of arrest against Putin.
He said the committee will be submitting its report and a decision will be taken on what the next step should be.
“The inter-ministerial committee met yesterday and obviously they are still finalising their minutes and their report will be presented to the appropriate structure, me first and thereafter either go to Cabinet tomorrow or another day. What I can guarantee is that this matter will be well handled and I will make the announcement,” IOL quoted him as saying.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
