Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the government via a video conference at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 19, 2023. (SPUTNIK / AFP)
MOSCOW / JOHANNESBURG – Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in the upcoming BRICS summit via video link, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.
"President Putin has decided to participate in the BRICS summit in the format of a video conference call," Peskov said, adding that the Russian leader intends to fully participate in the event.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will attend the summit in person, Peskov said
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will attend the summit in person, Peskov said.
The 15th BRICS Summit will take place in Johannesburg from Aug 22 to 24, with the theme of "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism."
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed in a statement South Africa's readiness to host the 15th BRICS summit. According to the statement, it will be the first BRICS summit to be hosted in person since the COVID-19 pandemic.
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BRICS is an acronym for five emerging economies — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. South Africa assumed the BRICS presidency on Jan 1, taking over from China.
