Pretoria – “The Russians want him to come”: Putin’s planned visit to South Africa “is a big dilemma for us”

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Since the alleged coup attempt on June 24, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin (70) has made a noticeable effort to be close to the people. He keeps significantly more appointments with citizens. At the beginning of July he attended a technology fair and on Wednesday a technology forum – where he spontaneously gave an interview.

As if to show his country that he is not yet completely banned internationally, Putin also apparently wants to stick to a planned trip to Africa in August, the South African government said. A “major dilemma” for the hosts.

The Brics Summit will take place in Johannesburg from 22 to 24 August. Members are Brazil, China, India, South Africa – and Russia. The arrival of the heads of state of the countries is usually just a formality. An international arrest warrant against Putin has left South Africa in trouble.

“Big dilemma for us”

“It’s a big dilemma for us,” said South African Vice President Paul Mashatile (61) to South African news portal News24. “We are still trying to persuade Putin not to come.”

Mashatile: “Of course we can’t arrest him. It’s almost like inviting a friend to your house and then arresting him. That’s why it’s the best solution for us if he doesn’t come.”

The International Criminal Court in The Hague indicted Putin in March on war crimes charges for his role in the abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children. South Africa, as a member of the court, would be obliged to arrest Putin if he enters the country.

“The Russians want Putin to come”

The South African government is seeking legal advice on this, Mashatile said. He personally leads a committee to find out how to solve the diplomatic problem. “But the Russians are not happy. The Russians want Putin to come.”

So far, the Brics countries have rejected compromise proposals, including: a virtual summit or Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (73) replacing Putin. There is also no “unanimous support” for the proposal to move the summit to China. Beijing is not a member of the International Court of Justice. South Africa is still looking for a solution. President Cyril Ramaphosa (70) addresses Putin directly, according to Mashatile.

With a return to the international scene, Putin also wants to show normality in the “military operation” in Ukraine. This while domestic resistance to the war and the leadership of the Kremlin is growing.

Rumors of coups in the Kremlin

Before the June mutiny, Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin (62) repeatedly made serious accusations against the Russian military leadership. The own troops would be insufficiently supported. Allegations by General Ivan Popov (48), deposed Supreme Commander of the 58th Army stationed in southern Ukraine, who has since been dismissed.

Popov chose words as clear as Prigozhin. The commander-in-chief dealt his soldiers a “treacherous blow”, according to Popov. In the middle of the war quarrel – “in the most difficult moment of the greatest tension” – the army chief “beheaded” his people.

In addition, rumors are circulating in the country that Putin is being threatened with a conspiracy from the inner circle of the Kremlin. Russian nationalist and military blogger Igor Girkin, 52, wrote on Telegram on Wednesday that people close to Putin plan to oust him as president to end his invasion of Ukraine. According to Western-sanctioned Girkin, Putin will be replaced by a member of the Leningrad shadow movement Osero.

Source: Blick