Putin will not attend BRICS Summit in Brazil due to ICC warrant

June 25, 2025 / 10:02 PM

Sharjah 24 – AFP: The Kremlin announced on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the upcoming BRICS summit in Brazil due to an outstanding International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him. The summit is scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro on July 6–7.

ICC warrant and legal implications

Putin faces charges from the Hague-based ICC for the alleged illegal deportation of Ukrainian children following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. As Brazil is a signatory to the ICC, it would be obligated to arrest Putin if he entered the country.

Participation via video link

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that Putin would join the BRICS summit virtually, stating, “This is due to certain difficulties in the context of the ICC’s requirements.”

Putin’s view of BRICS

Putin has consistently promoted BRICS—which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and others—as a counterbalance to Western dominance in global affairs. Despite the absence of a formal trade pact, BRICS countries aim to strengthen economic and political cooperation.

Past travel and repercussions

In 2023, Putin made a surprise visit to Mongolia—an ICC member state—despite the warrant, drawing criticism from the ICC and the European Union for not enforcing the arrest. The upcoming Brazil summit would have posed a similar legal dilemma.