On March 17, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against the Russian leader accusing him of alleged war crimes. Although South Africa is an ICC member and should cooperate in the arrest, its authorities appear to be unwilling to do so.

On Thursday, South African Foreign Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor confirmed that her country has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to participate in the 15th BRICS summit that will take place in Durban on August 24.

“We must have a discussion with the Cabinet to decide how we will act,” said Pando, whose country is currently holding the rotating presidency of the cooperation arrangement made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

“On other occasions, I have mentioned the problem of double standards in global affairs. There are many other countries that have been involved in wars, invasions of territories, murders of people, and arrests of activists, but none of them have been called by the ICC.”