Leaders from around the world have gathered in Kazan, Russia for a summit of the BRICS bloc of developing economies. The summit aims to strengthen ties among the member countries and assert their position in the global arena.
Russian President Vladimir Putin views this meeting as an opportunity to showcase the failure of attempts by the U.S. and its allies to isolate Russia over its actions in Ukraine. With 36 countries in attendance, including over 20 heads of state, the summit is being hailed as a significant foreign policy event for Russia.
Originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the BRICS alliance has seen rapid expansion to include countries like Iran, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Malaysia have expressed interest in joining as well.
The summit is seen as a strategic move by the Kremlin to garner support from the Global South amidst escalating tensions with Western nations. The agenda includes discussions on enhancing economic and financial cooperation, with proposals for new projects such as an alternative payment system to bypass Western sanctions.
President Putin is scheduled to engage in numerous bilateral meetings during the summit, including talks with leaders from China, India, and South Africa. Additionally, he is set to meet with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who has been critical of Russia's actions in Ukraine.
