South Africa is preparing for the arrival of the leaders of all the BRICS countries, said the Sherpa of the African country in the association Anil Suklal. According to him, all the leaders will attend the event, there has been no refusal from Russia.
Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier that a decision on the presence of Vladimir Putin at the summit had not yet been made. South Africa is a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which previously issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Putin.
“All leaders will attend the summit. Russia did not claim otherwise. The invitation was sent by President Ramofosa, President Putin thanked, we are preparing for the fact that all the leaders will be present in South Africa. Our Cabinet of Ministers is busy discussing this issue, but as I said, we are preparing for a full-fledged summit,” Mr. Suklal said. “RIA Novosti”.
Sherpa also said that Pretoria opposes unilateral sanctions. He noted that South Africa is a member of the UN and only recognizes sanctions approved by the international organization. “The UN has not imposed sanctions against Russia, there are only unilateral sanctions, which we do not join. Therefore, our relations with Russia are stronger than ever,” Mr. Suklal added. He also noted the strengthening of cooperation within the framework of the BRICS in the face of pressure from Western countries.
The representative of the President of South Africa, Vincent Magvenia, said in March that the country understands its legal obligations in connection with participation in the work of the ICC. Later, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said that the authorities would hold consultations with Russia on this issue. According to her, South Africa will not consider Moscow an enemy “at the request of other states.”
About relations between the Russian Federation and South Africa – in the material “Kommersant” “Russia has found an honest partner in South Africa.”