Putin is downplaying skipping South Africa summit amid ICC warrant controversy

By the Associated Press

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday appeared to downplay not attending an economic summit in Johannesburg next month amid a controversy over an arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court. The Russian leader said he doesn’t think his presence there is “more important than my presence here, in Russia.” Earlier this month South African authorities said Putin will not attend the Aug. 22-24 gathering, which brings together a bloc of developing economies known as BRICS, because of the warrant, even though he was initially invited. The Kremlin said the Russian president will take part in the summit via video link, but didn’t provide a reason for the decision and didn’t say whether Putin had ever intended to attend in person.