After initially promising not to arrest his Russian counterpart, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva walked back those remarks this week, addressing the delicate balance between international law and diplomatic relations. Vladimir Putin remains a central figure as discussions around the next G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro unfold, especially in light of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes connected to the Ukraine conflict. The situation puts Brazil at a crossroads between upholding the ICC mandate and navigating geopolitical realities involving a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
In a conversation with Indian television, Lula confronted a controversial vow not to detain Putin and questioned why Brazil is bound by the Rome Statute when some major powers have not chosen to join. He stated, “We must engage seriously with the International Criminal Court. The United States has not signed the treaty. Why should we embrace an agreement that excludes the United States?” The Brazilian president underscored a broader concern that developing nations often sign treaties that carry costs they cannot easily bear. He added that the stance would require careful contemplation, but he made clear it did not imply any intention to withdraw Brazil from ongoing international duties or from participating in the ICC framework. He pressed the point further by asking why Brazil is bound by the statute while major players like the United States, China, India, and Russia are not, highlighting that 123 countries have signed the Rome Statute and about thirty more have signed but not ratified it.
As the dialogue continued, Lula stressed that the ultimate decision about whether Putin should be arrested falls outside the immediate remit of the Brazilian government. He told reporters that justice would have the final say, signaling a commitment to legal processes over political expediency. This stance comes amid a broader regional and global conversation about accountability, sovereignty, and the responsibilities of those holding seats on the world stage.
Major absences
Earlier this year, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin over alleged forcible deportations of Ukrainian children during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The BRICS summit, which groups Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, was recently held in an African country and marked a historic moment for the body as it continues to navigate a shifting landscape of alliances and international norms. The warrant represents a rare and significant action against a head of a UN Security Council member state, underscoring the complex intersection of international law and political power.
With Lula taking over the G20 presidency from India, there is a strong interest in ensuring open lines of communication among major economies. He indicated that he expects participation from key players such as China and Russia at the upcoming G20 summit in November 2024 in Brazil. He expressed a willingness to extend invitations to President Xi Jinping and President Putin, hoping their presence would help shape constructive dialogue on global concerns. “I don’t know why President Xi and President Putin did not attend the New Delhi meeting. We will invite them and hope they will participate. My hope is that the gathering will advance important discussions,” Lula noted. The anticipation around attendance reflects the broader goal of coordinating policy responses to a variety of international challenges.
Putin did not attend the New Delhi summit last weekend, and the reasons behind India’s decision not to re-ratify the Rome Statute remain undisclosed. This absence adds another layer of complexity to the already intricate dynamics surrounding the ICC’s actions and the evolving roles of major powers in global governance. The upcoming G20 summit in Brazil looms as a critical forum where issues of international justice, security, and economic cooperation will be weighed against the practical realities of diplomacy and alliance-building.