Vladimir Putin arrives in Joburg for Brics Summit amid heavy security
Image: Twitter/@BRICS_10
Russian president Vladimir Putin has arrived in South Africa to attend the 10th Brics Summit in Sandton.
Putin touched down amid a heavy security presence at OR Tambo International Airport. Security at the Sandton Convention Centre was also tightened in anticipation of his arrival.
Image: REUTERS/Mike Hutchings
The other Brics heads of state are also expected to address the summit later on Thursday morning.
The three-day summit of the world’s leading emerging economies is being closely watched internationally‚ especially with tensions rising over the threat of a US-led trade war.
The video could not be loaded.
On Wednesday‚ Chinese president Xi Jinping said there would be “no winner” in global trade war‚ which has been perceived as a warning to US President Donald Trump.
"We are facing a choice between co-operation and confrontation‚ between opening up and closed-door policy and between mutual benefit and a beggar-thy-neighbour approach‚” Xi said.
“The international community has again reached a new crossroads.”
Putin is expected to hold private talks with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan later today.
South African government officials said the Russian leader was also expected to hold one-on-one talks with Ramaphosa during his stay.