Putin was meant to be at a summit in South Africa this week. Why was he asked to stay away?

While all the others are set to attend the meetings in person, Putin will dial in on a video call.

The reason? An International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for the Russian president put summit host South Africa in a sticky situation and ultimately resulted in Putin staying at home.

Here's what is expected when the group of emerging economies holds three days of meetings starting Tuesday in South Africa's biggest city and financial hub.

All the leaders from the BRICS countries traditionally attend its summits, and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping is making a rare trip overseas to be at the bloc’s first in-person summit since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

But Putin's indictment by the International Criminal Court in March charging him with war crimes over the removal of children from Ukraine left South Africa with a significant diplomatic conundrum.

South Africa and Russia share strong ties and have a historically close relationship, but South Africa is also a signatory to the international court's treaty. That meant it would be obliged to arrest Putin on the ICC warrant if he set foot on South African soil.

South Africa lobbied for months ahead of the summit to persuade Putin to stay at home so it could avoid the problem, South African officials say. South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile said last month that Putin was determined to come before an agreement for him to participate virtually was finally announced.

“It’s almost like you invite your friend to your house, and then arrest them," Mashatile said at the time. "That’s why for us his not coming is the best solution. The Russians are not happy, though. They want him to come.”

The Kremlin didn't say if Putin had been intending to travel to South Africa, but stressed