South Africa Declines to Invite Putin to 2025 G20 Summit Amid ICC Warrant

[Social Media]

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be invited to the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa due to the outstanding arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), South African presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed on Dec. 15 in an interview with Russia’s state-owned TASS news agency.

 

The legal situation surrounding Putin’s ICC warrant remains unchanged since South Africa last grappled with the issue during the August BRICS summit in Johannesburg. “The legal situation has not changed since the BRICS summit in Johannesburg. We cannot influence the ICC's decisions in any way,” Magwenya explained. South Africa, which began chairing the G20 on Dec. 1, must adhere to the ICC’s mandates as a signatory to the Rome Statute. The next G20 summit is scheduled to take place on Nov. 21-22, 2025.

 

South Africa’s position highlights the delicate balancing act the nation maintains between its legal obligations under international law and its geopolitical alliances. While officially declaring neutrality in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, South Africa has simultaneously worked to strengthen its economic and political ties with Moscow. The nation’s BRICS membership alongside Russia, China, and other emerging economies underscores this relationship. Last year, South Africa participated in joint naval drills with Russia and China, signaling deeper cooperation despite international scrutiny.

 

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023, accusing him of war crimes related to the alleged forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia following its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The warrant significantly restricts Putin’s international travel, as ICC member states are obligated to detain him upon entry.

 

South Africa’s adherence to the Rome Statute means hosting Putin would have exposed the nation to severe diplomatic and legal challenges. This same dilemma compelled Putin to avoid attending the BRICS summit earlier this year, where he was represented by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Similarly, Putin refrained from attending the November G20 summit in Brazil, another ICC signatory, choosing instead to send Lavrov.

 

Despite these restrictions, Putin continues to engage in selective diplomatic outreach. In September, he visited Mongolia, an ICC member state, where he received a notably warm reception in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Meanwhile, Russia maintains close ties with several G20 countries, including China and India, which have deepened economic cooperation with Moscow amid its ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

 

South Africa’s decision to uphold the ICC warrant by excluding Putin from its G20 summit underscores the broader international tensions surrounding the Russian leader’s legal and political predicament. While the nation seeks to navigate its commitments under international law, its close ties with Russia and other BRICS nations add layers of complexity to an already intricate geopolitical landscape.

 

Based on a report by Kyiv Independent 2024-12-18

 

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

South Africa is using the ICJ for its baseless genocide allegations against Israel so it would be extremely difficult for them to ignore an ICC arrest warrant without looking more foolish and vindictive then they already are. Terrorist supporters never win in the end.

[JonnyF]

South Africa trying to take the moral high ground on any issue is hilarious 😆.

 

I worked there on a project for a month in 2001. Couldn't get out fast enough. What a violent, crime ridden cesspit, and it's only got worse since then.  

[Srikcir]

7 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

South Africa is using the ICJ for its baseless genocide allegations against Israel so it would be extremely difficult for them to ignore an ICC arrest warrant without looking more foolish and vindictive then they already are.

The ICC Warrant related to alleged forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia following Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. There are consequences to ignore the warrant.

 

11 hours ago, Social Media said:

South Africa’s decision to uphold the ICC warrant by excluding Putin from its G20 summit underscores the broader international tensions surrounding the Russian leader’s legal and political predicament.

 

[Hamus Yaigh]

6 hours ago, JonnyF said:

South Africa trying to take the moral high ground on any issue is hilarious 

What part of "The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023, accusing him of war crimes related to the alleged forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia following its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The warrant significantly restricts Putin’s international travel, as ICC member states are obligated to detain him upon entry" is hard to grasp?

[Bkk Brian]

21 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

The ICC Warrant related to alleged forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia following Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. There are consequences to ignore the warrant.

 

 

I know what Putin's arrest warrant was for, thanks

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, Bkk Brian said:

I know what Putin's arrest warrant was for, thanks

Now maybe but you made reference to genocide allegations against Israel.

[Bkk Brian]

4 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Now maybe but you made reference to genocide allegations against Israel.

No since 7th March 2023 when it was first issued actaully. The reference to genocide allegations is made by SA to ICJ. You've really not understood my post at all have you.

[Chomper Higgot]

South Africa is correct, as a signatory to the Rome Statute it must comply with the arrest warrant, not inviting Putin is a diplomatic means of avoiding having to do so.

 

Of course South Africa’s response to the  arrest warrant issued for Putin is not related in anyway to any other matter before the ICJ.

 

It’s a separation of issues that applies to all signatories to the Rome Statute and is not at all difficult to understand.

 

 

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

South Africa is correct, as a signatory to the Rome Statute it must comply with the arrest warrant, not inviting Putin is a diplomatic means of avoiding having to do so.

 

Of course South Africa’s response to the  arrest warrant issued for Putin is not related in anyway to any other matter before the ICJ.

 

It’s a separation of issues that applies to all signatories to the Rome Statute and is not at all difficult to understand.

 

Of course South Africa’s response to the arrest warrant issued for Putin is not related in anyway to any other matter before the ICJ.

 

How do you know?

[Chomper Higgot]

It’s a smart move by South Africa avoid the inevitable diplomatic furor by not inviting Putin.

 

In the event Putin did enter South Africa jurisdiction then South Africa would be bound under Article 59 of the Rome Statute to arrest him:

 

 

 

 

https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/2024-05/Rome-Statute-eng.pdf

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

It’s a smart move by South Africa avoid the headstone by not inviting Putin.

 

In the event Putin did enter South Africa jurisdiction then South Africa would be bound under Article 59 of the Rome Statute to arrest him:

 

 

 

 

https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/2024-05/Rome-Statute-eng.pdf

They may be bound to arrest him but as Mongolia clearly demonstrated countries do not always comply. You need to catch up on this a little more

 

Putin welcomed in Mongolia despite ICC arrest warrant

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy527yex0no

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

South Africa signaling its intent to adhere to its duties under the Rome Statute is to be commended.

 

South Africa is demonstrating that as a sovereign nation it abides by the statutes it signs regardless of how other nations treat their responsibilities.

International statutes and treaties would have no meaning if signatory nations were to engage in conflating matters under statues and treaties, or worse still engage in whataboutary.

 

Article 59 of the Rome Statute makes South Africa’s duties clear, just as clear as it is that South Africa takes its duties under the International Statutes it signs seriously.

 

Its a shame on some nations that they do not.

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

South Africa signaling its intent to adhere to its duties under the Rome Statute is to be commended.

 

South Africa is demonstrating that as a sovereign nation it abides by the statutes it signs regardless of how other nations treat their responsibilities.

International statutes and treaties would have no meaning if signatory nations were to engage in conflating matters under statues and treaties, or worse still engage I whataboutary.

 

Article 59 of the Rome Statute makes South Africa’s duties clear, just as clear as it is that South Africa takes its duties under the International Statutes it signs seriously.

 

Its a shame on some nations that they do not.
 

 

Nice try

 

SA showing that it needs to show its not hypocritical more like. Its using one world court for its baseless accusations, it can hardly upset another world court

[Chomper Higgot]

16 hours ago, Social Media said:

South Africa’s position highlights the delicate balancing act the nation maintains between its legal obligations under international law and its geopolitical alliances.

I agree.

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

5 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I agree.

 

 

Of course you do..........

[Nick Carter icp]

16 hours ago, Social Media said:

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be invited to the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa

 

  Why have South African suddenly become important  ?

Before they joined in with Iran  with their war against Israel, no one took much notice of what they said 

[Chomper Higgot]

11 hours ago, JonnyF said:

South Africa trying to take the moral high ground on any issue is hilarious 😆.

 

I worked there on a project for a month in 2001. Couldn't get out fast enough. What a violent, crime ridden cesspit, and it's only got worse since then.  

South Africa are not taking the moral high ground.

 

They are simply signaling their intention to abide by their obligations under Article 59 of the Rome Statute. 
 

They’ve diplomatically not invited Putin thereby avoiding a diplomatic incident. 
 

It’s a sad indictment of your own outlook that  you regard a nation signaling its intent to abide by the International  Statutes to which it is a signatory as ‘trying to take the moral high ground’.

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

South Africa are not taking the moral high ground.

 

They are simply signaling their intention to abide by their obligations under Article 59 of the Rome Statute. 
 

They’ve diplomatically not invited Putin thereby avoiding a diplomatic incident. 
 

It’s a sad indictment of your own outlook that  you regard a nation signaling its intent to abide by the International  Statutes to which it is a signatory as ‘trying to take the moral high ground’.

 

 

South Africa are not taking the moral high ground.

 

Correct, that would be impossible

[Chomper Higgot]

Just now, Nick Carter icp said:

 

  Why have South African suddenly become important  ?

Before they joined in with Iran  with their war against Israel, no one took much notice of what they said 

I think there is a clue in the OP.

 

The upcoming G20 Summit is to be held in South Africa.

 

It’s not a matter of South Africa ‘suddenly becoming important’, rather a matter of South Africa being the host of the G20 Summit and having obligations under the Rome Statute.