President Vladimir V. Putin will not attend a diplomatic summit in Johannesburg next month, South Africa’s president announced on Wednesday, a decision that allows the host nation to avoid the difficult predicament of whether to arrest the Russian leader, who is the subject of an international warrant.
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa had said in a court affidavit made public on Tuesday that his country would risk war with Russia if it arrested Mr. Putin at the summit.
The decision for Mr. Putin not to attend was made “by mutual agreement,” according to a statement released by Mr. Ramaphosa’s office.
Russia will instead be represented by its foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, the statement said.
South African officials were forced to weigh that alliance against its relationship with Western partners, which has been strained lately because of South Africa’s refusal to condemn Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Persons:
Vladimir V, Putin, Cyril Ramaphosa of, Mr, Sergey V, Lavrov
Organizations:
South
Locations:
Johannesburg, Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Russia, Ukraine