Putin's absence at G20 highlights international tensions
Although he hesitated, Vladimir Putin ultimately announced on Friday that he will not participate in the G20 summit, scheduled for 18-19 November in Brazil. Earlier, the Russian leader expressed his opinion on the International Criminal Court.
Vladimir Putin informed that he will not take part in the upcoming G20 summit, which will be held in November in Brazil. He justified his decision by stating that his presence could "disrupt the important work" that will be conducted during the meeting of world leaders. He added that Russia will be represented there by someone else.
However, there is much more behind this decision. Ukraine, aware of international sanctions imposed on Putin, publicly appealed to the Brazilian authorities to arrest the Russian leader if he decides to attend the summit.
We remind you that in March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian children's rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova. This warrant pertains to charges of war crimes, including illegal deportations of children from Ukrainian territories to areas controlled by Russia.
Putin on the International Criminal Court
Vladimir Putin seems to downplay the potential consequences related to the International Criminal Court's decisions.
"Decisions of this kind are very easy to circumvent, it is enough to sign an intergovernmental agreement and that’s it," said Putin, suggesting that he does not consider these sanctions a serious threat to himself or his plans. The Russian leader appears confident that he can avoid potential arrest warrants or other restrictions that might await him during the G20 summit.
He's making a show of openly wiping his feet on the international justice system. But Putin confirmed he's not going to Brazil - so he is scared, commented former Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Anton Gerashchenko on social media.
