Russia's presidential office said on Wednesday President Vladimir Putin won't attend a BRICs summit in South Africa next month in person.

Johannesburg says the decision was made by mutual agreement and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in the summit instead.

Moscow says Putin will attend the meeting online.

The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the Russian leader in March in connection with his country's invasion of Ukraine.

South Africa, as a signatory of the ICC, is required to arrest Putin if he shows up at the meeting.

South African media have reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa asked the ICC for an exemption from having to arrest Putin.