Ramaphosa In Final Talks Over Putin Visit

During today's media briefing on President Cyril Ramaphosa's public programme for the next two weeks, spokesman Vincent Magwenya confirmed that Ramaphosa touched upon the topic of President Vladimir Putin's attendance at the upcoming BRICS summit when the two met in St. Petersburg recently.

• Magwenya said that the government has completed the process of reviewing legal options on Putin's potential visit but did not reveal any further details. Earlier press reports had suggested that all three options recommended by a special inter-ministerial committee advised against hosting Putin.
• According to his spokesman, Ramaphosa is in final talks with other BRICS leaders on the potential for Putin's participation. After these consultations, he will be ready to announce who will and who will not be attending the summit.
• The rand has drawn some support earlier this week on the back of local source reports suggesting that Putin might skip the conference due to domestic tensions surrounding the failed Wagner mutiny, but no official announcements have been made.