Russia has declined South Africa’s request to not send President Vladimir Putin to the upcoming BRICS summit in Johannesburg. Due to an ICC indictment against Putin, South Africa, as a signatory of the Rome Statute that establishes the International Criminal Court (ICC), is required to detain him. South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile expressed their dilemma, stating that they cannot invite someone and then arrest them. South Africa proposed that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov lead Russia’s delegation instead, but the proposal was rejected. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa remains committed to holding an in-person summit despite the ICC warrant. The format of the summit is still being finalized. South Africa, along with Brazil, India, and China, opposes a virtual summit, while India and Brazil rejected moving the 2023 summit to China. South Africa has not condemned Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, maintaining impartiality and promoting dialogue to resolve the conflict.