The 16th Brics Summit, held under the chairmanship of Russian President Vladimir Putin, saw a significant focus on the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Notably, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, along with other Brics leaders, engaged in discussions with Putin about the war, which has been raging since February 2022.
The summit, held in Russia, was seen as a stage for Putin to demonstrate that Western attempts to isolate Russia following the invasion of Ukraine have been unsuccessful. However, the discussions around the war revealed differing perspectives and ongoing efforts to achieve peace.
Prior to the summit, Prime Minister Modi had expressed his desire for peace in Ukraine, stating India’s willingness to contribute to a truce. “We have been in constant touch on the subject of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine,” Modi said. “We believe that problems should be resolved only through peaceful means,” the Indian PM emphasized. “We fully support the early restoration of peace and stability. All our efforts give priority to humanity. India is ready to provide all possible support in the times to come,” he added.
Similarly, China, a key member of the Brics bloc, also discussed the war with Putin in closed-door meetings. The summit comes at a time when Russia’s military operations in Ukraine have resulted in the control of about one-fifth of the country’s territory, including Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.
China and Brazil, both Brics members, have been actively working at the United Nations to garner support for a ceasefire from developing countries. Ukraine, however, accuses Beijing and Brasilia of aligning with Moscow’s interests.
Putin, who launched the military offensive in 2022 after years of conflict in eastern Ukraine, has indicated that the Chinese-Brazilian proposals could provide a framework for ending the war. However, both Ukraine and Russia have put forward separate peace proposals, with significant differences between them.
The Brics Summit has once again highlighted the complex dynamics surrounding the Ukraine conflict and the ongoing international efforts to find a solution. The summit’s discussions, including those concerning the war, demonstrate the continued efforts to address this global challenge and the diverse perspectives involved.