**Putin Skips BRICS Summit in Brazil Due to ICC Arrest Warrant**
Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided not to attend the upcoming BRICS summit in Brazil, citing difficulties related to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). This decision comes as a result of Brazilian government’s inability to take a clear position on Putin’s participation in the meeting.
According to Russian president’s foreign policy aide Yuriy Ushakov, Brazil is a member of the ICC and a signatory to the Rome Statute. As such, it is obliged to arrest Putin if he enters the country. The BRICS summit, scheduled to take place on July 6-7, will be attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov instead.
This move highlights the complexities surrounding international law and diplomacy. The ICC issued a warrant for Putin’s arrest in March 2023 over the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This has led to Putin avoiding certain countries that are signatories to the ICC, such as Brazil and South Africa.
**A Pattern of Avoidance**
This is not the first time Putin has skipped a major international event due to an ICC arrest warrant. In November 2024, he skipped the G20 summit in Brazil and sent Lavrov instead. Earlier in June, Moscow said that Putin had received an official invitation to attend the G20 summit in South Africa, but it remains unclear if he will attend.
Putin’s visit to Mongolia in September 2024 also raised eyebrows, as the country refused to enforce the ICC warrant against him. This pattern of avoidance has led some to question whether Putin is taking steps to avoid accountability for his actions.
**The BRICS Summit**
The BRICS summit is a gathering of emerging economies often portrayed as a counterweight to the Western-led world. The group includes Russia, China, India, Brazil, and other nations. While the summit will still take place, Putin’s absence has sparked debate about the implications for international relations and the role of the ICC.
As the world watches how this situation unfolds, one thing is certain: the complexities surrounding international law and diplomacy continue to shape global events in profound ways.
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