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South African BRICS Summit To Be 'Physical' Despite Putin Warrant


South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (left) meets with Russian President Vladiimir Putin in St. Petersburg on June 17.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (left) meets with Russian President Vladiimir Putin in St. Petersburg on June 17.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on July 9 said next month's BRICS summit, to which Vladimir Putin has been invited, will be held in-person despite an arrest warrant on the Russian leader. "The BRICS summit is going ahead...," Ramaphosa told reporters. He didn't say if Putin -- who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over accusations that Russia unlawfully deported Ukrainian children -- would attend. As a member of the ICC, South Africa would be expected to arrest Putin if he sets foot in the country. South Africa hasn't condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying it remains impartial.

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