At the recent BRICS summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin advocated for the idea of a new “multipolar world order.” This gathering of global leaders, he hopes, will demonstrate that Western efforts to exclude Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine have ultimately failed.
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Taking place in Kazan, this summit represents the most significant diplomatic event in Russia since Mr. Putin initiated military action in Ukraine in 2022, an act that resulted in extensive Western sanctions and widespread international rebuke.
Approximately 20 leaders, including those from China, India, Turkey, and Iran, convened in this central Russian city. Their agenda includes discussions on establishing an international payment system led by BRICS and addressing ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
Russia envisions BRICS as a viable alternative to Western-centric international organizations like the G7. This perspective resonates with key ally, Chinese President Xi Jinping. He encouraged member nations to consider how they can tackle crucial issues on the global stage, specifically mentioning “acute regional conflicts.”
In a noteworthy development, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made his first trip to Russia in over two years to participate in the summit, which has drawn ire from Ukraine. Mr. Putin celebrated the close ties and “strategic partnerships” Russia has forged with its allies, engaging in discussions with President Xi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi among others.
President Xi lauded the “profound” relationship between China and Russia, referring to the current global scenario as “chaotic.” He emphasized that their partnership has “infused significant momentum into the growth, revitalization, and modernization of both nations,” a claim supported by Mr. Putin who regarded the Russia-China relationship as a cornerstone for global “stability.”
While addressing the gathering in Kazan, Putin is determined to ensure that the ongoing conflict with Ukraine does not overshadow the summit’s proceedings. Security measures are extraordinarily tight, especially considering that the Tatarstan region, located about 1,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, has previously been a target for drone strikes from Kyiv.
In a bid to create a welcoming atmosphere for visiting dignitaries, women adorned in traditional Tatar attire greeted the delegations with warm hospitality, offering them sweet pastries made with flour and honey. Since its inception in 2009 with just four members – Brazil, Russia, India, and China – BRICS has expanded to include emerging nations like South Africa, Egypt, and Iran. Reinforcing his vision of BRICS as a challenge to Western dominance, Putin plans to engage in separate discussions with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Amid these activities, he will also converse with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is positioning Turkey as a potential mediator between Russia and Ukraine. It is anticipated that Mr. Guterres and Mr. Putin will go over the Ukraine conflict in their scheduled talks tomorrow.
Ukraine has expressed outrage over Mr. Guterres’ attendance at the summit. “The UN Secretary-General turned down our invitation to the inaugural Global Peace Summit in Switzerland. Instead, he accepted Putin’s invitation to Kazan, which raises serious questions about his judgment,” said a spokesperson from Ukraine’s foreign ministry on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
They further stated, “This decision does not foster peace. It diminishes the UN’s credibility.” The spokesperson for the UN chief clarified that the trip was part of his routine engagements with significant international organizations and offered a platform to “reemphasize his well-established positions” concerning the Ukraine situation “and the pursuit of a just peace.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, trying to present himself as a peacemaker, urged for a swift resolution to the conflict in discussions with Mr. Putin. “We’ve maintained constant communication regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict,” Modi stated following a handshake and embrace with Putin. “We firmly believe that disputes should be settled through peaceful means. Our commitment to quickly restoring peace and stability is unwavering,” he asserted.
India has been treading carefully since the conflict’s onset, providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine while steering clear of directly criticizing Russia’s actions. Meanwhile, Russia has made significant inroads on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine this year, reinforcing alliances with countries like China, Iran, and North Korea. Mr. Putin has welcomed mediation offers from BRICS leaders concerning the Ukraine situation, enlightening them about the advances of Moscow’s military on various fronts.
Many countries appeared eager to play a more proactive role, according to spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who spoke with reporters at the summit. In private discussions with other leaders, he underscored the “very positive dynamics” Russian forces are experiencing on the battlefield, heightening the stakes of this gathering.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
