Putin's Absence at BRICS Summit Raises Questions of War Crimes Arrest

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the upcoming BRICS summit in South Africa due to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. South Africa, as a member of the ICC, would have been obligated to arrest Putin upon his arrival. The decision not to attend highlights the damage to Putin's international standing caused by the conflict in Ukraine. Russia will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the summit.