KAZAN, Russia: At the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the rise of a “multipolar world order,” a central theme of the gathering aimed at demonstrating Russia’s global alliances despite ongoing Western sanctions and isolation efforts following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The summit brought together around 20 world leaders, including from China, India, Turkey, and Iran, reinforcing Moscow’s aim to present BRICS as a counterbalance to Western-led institutions like the G7.
Putin described the summit as a platform to challenge Western dominance, calling the BRICS organization a key player in global affairs. He highlighted Russia’s close partnerships with nations like China, with Chinese President Xi Jinping praising their strong bilateral ties. Xi reaffirmed their cooperation as a stabilizing force in an increasingly “chaotic” world.
The BRICS summit addressed significant topics such as the development of a BRICS-led international payment system and discussions on regional conflicts, including the Middle East. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also attended, sparking criticism from Ukraine, which views his participation as tacit approval of Russia’s actions in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the occasion to call for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine war, maintaining India’s neutral stance by providing humanitarian support to Ukraine without explicitly condemning Russia’s military actions. Modi’s call for peace underscores India’s diplomatic balancing act as it navigates its relationships with both Russia and the West.
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In bilateral talks, Putin also met with key leaders like Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey, a NATO member, continues to position itself as a potential mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The summit underscored Russia’s goal of reshaping global power dynamics through closer alliances with emerging economies, with Putin determined to resist Western efforts to isolate Moscow on the world stage.
