JOHANNESBURG - Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend next month's Brics summit.
The Presidency says a mutual agreement has been reached with the Russian leader.
The Federation will instead be represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
READ: BRICS summit to be 'physical' despite Putin warrant: S.Africa
The President faced pressure over Putin's possible presence in the country.
This after the ICC issued an arrest warrant against for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.