By S’thembile Cele July 19, 2023 at 6:57 AM EDT

Russian President Vladimir Putin won’t attend next month’s summit of BRICS leaders and will instead be represented by his foreign minister, South Africa’s presidency said. The rand pared its earlier losses. Putin’s decision means the South African authorities will avoid having to execute an International Criminal Court warrant for the Russian leader’s arrest.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will attend the summit in Putin’s stead, the presidency said in a statement on Wednesday. The decision for Putin not to attend was by mutual consent, it said.

    • Xenon@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 year ago

      Imagine having a “president” with less freedom to travel than Kim Jong Un.

      • Crow@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        But Putin gets to be the richest man in the word by hiding his wealth where he can never access it, being under the constant threat of assassination, hates by the free world, and not being able to visit countries other than Russian allies. What’s not to want?!

    • zephyrvs@lemmy.ml
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      1 year ago

      SA ignored an ICC warrant in 2015 already and it was basically shrugged off.