Putin won't attend a South Africa summit next month, avoiding possible arrest
NPRPutin won't attend a South Africa summit next month, avoiding possible arrest Enlarge this image toggle caption Sergei Chirikov/AP Sergei Chirikov/AP JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be attending an economic summit in Johannesburg next month, South Africa's government said Wednesday. "By mutual agreement, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will not attend the Summit but the Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister, Mr Sergey Lavrov," the office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement. In South African court papers made public on Tuesday, Ramaphosa said that arresting Putin would "risk engaging in war with Russia." Africa Many African countries are staying neutral on Russia's invasion of Ukraine Many African countries are staying neutral on Russia's invasion of Ukraine Listen · 4:08 4:08 South Africa infuriated many countries, including the United States, when it hosted and took part in naval exercises with Russia and China in February, coinciding with the first anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.