Vladimir Putin, president of Russiadid not attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) 2024held in Lima, Peru. His absence in a event that brought together the leaders of the world’s main economies It generated various speculations, among which citizen insecurity, the presence of the United States and an international arrest warrant stood out. In that context, The Republic communicated with the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Mackay, and with the internationalists Farid Kahhat and Oscar Vidarte, in order to obtain greater details about the reasons behind the non-participation of the Russian president and the political implications of his absence to international level.
Did citizen insecurity influence Vladimir Putin’s decision?
As is known, the Citizen insecurity in Peru has increased significantlyreaching figures of murders and crimes higher than those of previous years. This situation was pointed out as one of the reasons why Vladimir Putin would not have attended the APEC summit. Given this, two of the specialists consulted presented opposing points of view, offering two scenarios to consider.
“This absence evidently also means a trip to a country like Peru, which has already revealed itself to be an insecure country. And the insecurity in the Peru Foreigners have not said it, they have not referred it to other countries, no, no, none of that. The circumstances that Peru is an unsafe country have been confirmed by the Peruvian State itselfespecially due to our inability to be able to hold an in-person inauguration in the mega port of Chancay, which must be reduced to a virtual inauguration. So, I think that the president of Russia does not have the guarantees or security in a country that does not have it, and in a very difficult context like that of war, especially when the world moves by drones, the world moves by cyberspace and cyberattacks. For Vladimir Putin“This circumstance was also a gravitating element,” said former Foreign Minister Miguel Rodríguez Mackay, who considered this situation as one of the reasons why Putin did not attend.
On the other hand, the internationalist Farid Kahhat, with a different opinion, commented: “Let’s say that there would always be the possibility of there being protest demonstrations against the actions of Russia in Ukrainebut judging by precedent, that was unlikely. They came Xi Jinping me too, Joe Bidenand let’s say, you can always do what Biden did: he came with a group of hundreds of American military and police officers. “I don’t think it was a major factor.”
The presence of Joe Biden after supporting Ukraine in the war with Russia
The participation of the president of the United States, Joe Biden, at the APEC summit was one of the most talked about and anticipated. However, its presence, as the main ally of Ukraine—a country considered an enemy of Russia in the context of the war—raised suspicions about the possible assistance of the Russian president. To delve deeper into this cause, specialists shared their opinions.
“No, I think that too Vladimir Putin he would not have come, because photography is one of those elements that influence, but the other factor is that he is a president of a country at war and must be focused on how to resolve this bilateral situation. His journey to Latin America, and specifically to Peru, would have been too long and complicated to afford, which would have made him extremely vulnerable. So these elements contribute, one and the other, concomitantly. They should not be viewed in isolation; “You have to consider the whole,” said former Minister Rodríguez Mackay.
“When the APECthe relationship between Russia and USA It was good, since 2022, at least, before, but certainly since 2022. NATO, led by the United States, and Russia are fighting a war through Ukraine. So yes, that may be another consideration,” said internationalist Farid Kahhat.
International arrest warrant: Would leaving your country expose your freedom to arrest?
In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes, accusing him of being responsible for the kidnappings of Ukrainian children. Consequently, the possible arrival of the Russian leader in Peru generated uncertainty about his arrest upon arrival, given that, being part of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, the country is obliged to carry out said capture. Given this situation, the experts gave the following opinion:
“APEC was formed when Russia was part of the so-called G8; Now, the G8 no longer exists, and Russia has been separated again, which is now the G7. So, of course, relations between the United States and Russia have deteriorated, but there is also the fact that Peru is a signatory country to the Treaty of Rome, which gives rise to the International Criminal Court, and that Court has requested the arrest and extradition of Vladimir Putin for crimes against humanity. In that sense, if he came to Peru, in principle, he would at least be obliged to stop him. Putin has already traveled outside the territory of Russia, but to countries that are not part of the International Criminal Court,” argued specialist Kahhat.
“He is very careful to know where he travels, because let’s remember that the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant. From that point on, he is very careful where he goes. So, that’s why he avoids having those kinds of problems. Great care is taken regarding the spaces for participation. That is why, for example, it is much more comfortable in spaces like BRICSwhere Russia has some kind of leadership. He doesn’t feel much more comfortable in those spaces, where his role is very important. On the other hand, for example, in the G20, where the participation of Western powers is usually very important,” emphasized the internationalist Oscar Vidarte.
“The fundamental reason why Vladimir Putin does not come to Peru is not because he fears being arrested, but because it would be an absolute impertinence and a dislocated political position to see himself in a meeting with one of the visible actors of the international system that openly supports his enemy in the war, which is Ukraine. That supporting actor is the United States; then, that photo would be politically very bad for Vladimir Putin,” disagreed Rodríguez Mackay, who considered the presence of the president of the United States at the summit to be more relevant.
Vladimir Putin’s absence from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum raised several questions about the reasons behind his lack of participation. Although factors such as internal insecurity in Russia, tensions with the United States and the international arrest warrant were mentioned, the exact cause cannot yet be confirmed. What is clear is that his absence highlights the difficulties that Russia faces in the current political and diplomatic context.
