In a recent phone call, Russian President Vladimir Putin and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the upcoming BRICS summit set to take place in Johannesburg next month and the expiring Black Sea grain deal, according to a Kremlin statement.

The discussion comes amidst growing tension over the grain deal’s renewal and controversy over Putin’s potential attendance at the BRICS summit, due to a standing arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The Kremlin didn’t provide detailed information about the leaders’ conversation, but it’s known that Ramaphosa shared details regarding preparations for the BRICS summit. Putin’s attendance at the event has raised eyebrows, following the ICC’s accusations of war crimes against him earlier this year, resulting in an issued arrest warrant. These charges were dismissed by Russia as legally invalid given that the country isn’t an ICC member.

South Africa, however, as an ICC member, would be compelled to execute the arrest should Putin enter its territory. Deputy President Paul Mashatile of South Africa stated in an interview with the Mail & Guardian that their suggestion to replace Putin with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was declined by Moscow. The BRICS members, including Brazil, India, China, and South Africa, reportedly expressed their opposition to a virtual summit.

As for the pending Black Sea grain deal, Putin implied that Moscow’s conditions for the deal hadn’t been met and that a decision about its extension is yet to be made. The deal, set to expire soon, has permitted Ukraine to export grain from its Black Sea ports amidst conflict with Russia.

The South African presidency confirmed the phone call with Putin, which reportedly followed conversations with the UN Chief and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Recent statements suggest Russia’s potential withdrawal from the UN-brokered deal formed a year prior.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Putin has agreed to extend the grain deal, a claim that the Kremlin has yet to confirm. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres awaits Russia’s response to his proposal for the deal’s extension.

  Black Sea, BRICS, Cyril Ramaphosa, Johannesburg, Kremlin, Russia, Sergei Lavrov, South Africa, Vladimir Putin