On Wednesday, South Africa announced that the international arrest warrant issued for Russian President Vladimir Putin has created a dilemma for the country as it prepares to host a BRICS summit in August.

South Africa is facing a diplomatic dilemma as it prepares to host a BRICS summit in August.

The arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Russian President Vladimir Putin has complicated matters, as South Africa is a member of the ICC and would be expected to arrest Putin if he sets foot in the country.

As a close ally of Russia, South Africa has refused to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has even hosted joint military exercises with Russia and China. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, stated that the government is currently looking into ways to deal with the issue and that further engagements are underway.

The City Press, a local newspaper, suggested that Pretoria may opt for a hybrid meeting, with some leaders attending physically and others attending virtually.

While the Democratic Alliance opposition party has called for Putin’s arrest, leftist parties, including the South African Communist Party, have urged the government to welcome Putin and withdraw from the ICC.