Putin Will Not Attend G20 Summit in Brazil Due to ICC Arrest Warrant

Russian leader Vladimir Putin announced that he will not attend the G20 summit in Brazil, a signatory of the Rome Statute and obligated to arrest him under an International Criminal Court warrant.

Putin made this statement during a meeting with journalists from BRICS countries on Friday, October 18, reported Russian "Interfax."

When asked if he feared arrest in Brazil under the ICC warrant, Putin replied with a question: "Well, should I specifically go there to disrupt the normal functioning of this forum?"

"We all understand perfectly well that even if we disregard the ICC (International Criminal Court - Ed.), all discussions will only revolve around this issue. It would effectively derail the work of the G20. Why do that?" he said.

Russian leader stated he will find someone who would "adequately represent the interests of our country at a high level in Brazil."

Earlier, Ukraine's top prosecutor revealed that he had received intelligence suggesting that Vladimir Putin may attend the G20 summit in Brazil next month. He urged Brazilian authorities to enforce the international warrant for Putin's arrest if he makes an appearance.

On March 17, 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin, accusing him of the illegal deportation of hundreds of children from Ukraine. Now, the Russian leader can be detained in any country that has ratified the Rome Statute.