South Africa to Address Legal Obligations Ahead of Russian President’s Visit

Vincent Magwenya, the spokesman for President Cyril Ramaphosa, stated that South Africa is aware of its legal obligations in relation to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s arrest warrant. Putin is scheduled to visit South Africa in August for a BRICS summit where Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa hold talks. Magwenya noted that the government is mindful of its legal obligations and is actively engaged with various relevant stakeholders leading up to the summit.

South Africa has not condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but the ruling by the international court has placed the country in a difficult situation. Despite this, Magwenya reiterated South Africa’s strong commitment and desire to see the conflict in Ukraine resolved peacefully through negotiations.

The international arrest warrant for Putin was issued by Ukraine over the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The warrant is unlikely to be enforced in South Africa as the country’s constitution prohibits the arrest of a serving head of state.