In a calculated move to counter Western isolation, Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to host a major international summit in Kazan – the Brics Summit. The summit will see a gathering of leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with other key emerging economies like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
This summit holds significant geopolitical weight. It arrives at a time when Russia finds itself facing international condemnation over its invasion of Ukraine and its confrontation with the West. Putin aims to use this platform to showcase Russia’s continued relevance and its ability to forge alliances beyond the Western bloc.
The Brics summit is expected to be the largest international gathering in Russia since the outbreak of the Ukraine war in 2022. The group, which has been increasingly seen as a rival to the G-7, has become a focal point for Russia and China’s vision of a new world order. Their ambition is to challenge Western dominance and influence on the global stage.
One of the key discussions at the summit will likely revolve around the development of a BRICS-led payment system, a potential rival to SWIFT, the international financial network that Russia was cut off from in 2022 due to Western sanctions. This initiative highlights Russia’s determination to create alternative systems and reduce dependence on Western financial institutions.
The summit will also feature bilateral meetings between Putin and several other world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. A potential meeting between Modi and Xi could further strengthen ties between India and China following a recent border agreement.
Russia has been actively promoting the Brics Summit as a diplomatic success, a testament to its ability to build alliances and challenge the perceived Western “hegemony.” Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, echoing this sentiment, has described Brics as a “prototype of multipolarity,” advocating for a more equitable and democratic world order.
However, the West remains skeptical of Brics’ intentions, viewing it as a platform for Russia to expand its influence and promote its narrative surrounding the Ukraine war. Concerns have also been raised about Russia utilizing the platform to further its strategic partnership with authoritarian regimes like China, Iran, and North Korea.
The Brics Summit, therefore, emerges as a key event in the unfolding geopolitical landscape. It represents Russia’s attempt to project strength and forge alliances amidst Western isolation. Whether it will successfully challenge Western dominance or simply serve as a stage for propaganda remains to be seen. The summit’s outcomes will likely have a significant impact on the global political order and will be closely watched by observers worldwide.