The annual BRICS summit, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin in the city of Kazan, is the largest gathering of world leaders in Russia in decades and takes place amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The BRICS group comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, with the goal of challenging the economic and political dominance of the West. Members of the alliance convene once a year to set priorities and discuss issues, and in 2023, invitations were extended to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Leaders of BRICS member countries, as well as other countries interested in deepening ties with BRICS, are attending the summit in Kazan. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had to cancel his trip after suffering a head injury, with the country being represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is also in attendance, despite criticism from Ukraine for accepting an invitation from Putin but not attending a peace summit in Switzerland in June.
The central theme of the BRICS summit is the member countries’ disillusionment with Western-led global governance institutions, particularly in the economy. The partners aim to reduce their dependency on the US dollar and the SWIFT system used for financial transactions. Lula proposed a trading currency for BRICS members in 2023, but there are challenges to implementing such an initiative. Instead, they are focusing on using their national currencies for bilateral trade to decrease their reliance on the dollar.
The summit holds significance for Putin as Russia faces isolation following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and subsequent sanctions imposed by Western countries. The ICC arrest warrant for Putin restricts his ability to travel to countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute, limiting his participation in international gatherings. Despite this, Putin hopes to showcase that Russia still has international partners and is not completely isolated in the wake of the war with Ukraine.
Putin’s presence at the BRICS summit is a symbol of defiance towards the West, indicating that Russia still has important partners, including major emerging powers like India and China. The expanded BRICS group now represents a significant portion of the world’s population and economic output. Putin’s posturing at the summit also serves as a message for potential negotiations on the conflict in Ukraine, as calls for peace talks are increasing globally.
BRICS is looking to expand further, with Southeast Asian countries expressing interest in joining the alliance. Countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Turkey have indicated a desire to be part of BRICS, signaling a trend where nations prefer not to choose between partners and are willing to engage with a diverse array of countries. The evolving landscape of global alliances and partnerships highlights the changing dynamics of international relations and the importance of multilateral cooperation.
