Putin's Virtual BRICS Presence Amid ICC Warrant

Russian President Vladimir Putin is strategically opting to participate in the upcoming BRICS summit in Brazil through a video link, foregoing physical attendance due to an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Kremlin's foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, confirmed this on Wednesday, citing the outstanding warrant related to alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

The ICC issued the warrant in 2023, over a year after Russia's military engagement in Ukraine, accusing Putin of orchestrating the deportation of hundreds of children. Despite Russia's denial of these allegations and its non-signatory status to the ICC treaty, the warrant poses a travel risk for Putin, potentially leading to arrest in countries that recognize the ICC.

Previously, Putin opted out of attending the BRICS summit in South Africa due to similar concerns. In contrast, his attendance was warmly received in Mongolia, an ICC member, last year. The upcoming summit in Brazil will see Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in attendance in place of Putin, with reports suggesting Chinese President Xi Jinping may also not attend.

(With inputs from agencies.)