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Putin to host BRICS meeting on Tuesday

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Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet with world leaders, including China’s Xi Jinping, India’s Narendra Modi, Turkiye’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian, at a BRICS summit in Kazan on Tuesday.

The meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, comes despite ongoing tensions surrounding the war in Ukraine and an international arrest warrant against Putin.

The BRICS bloc, initially comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has rapidly expanded in 2024.

This year alone, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia joined the group, with Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and Malaysia also applying for membership.

The expansion underscores BRICS’ growing influence as an alternative to the Western-dominated global order.

A Diplomatic Triumph for Russia

Russian officials are calling the summit a major success. Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy aide, confirmed the participation of 32 countries, with over 20 heads of state in attendance.

Putin is expected to hold around 20 bilateral meetings during the summit, which Ushakov described as potentially “the largest foreign policy event ever held” on Russian soil.

The Kremlin seeks to leverage the summit to showcase Russia’s strong alliances while discussing critical trade deals.

Analysts say the event is crucial for Putin to demonstrate the failure of Western efforts to isolate him.

Alexander Gabuyev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre, notes that BRICS offers its members opportunities without binding commitments, giving them the flexibility to explore new diplomatic and economic ventures.

Strengthening Ties and Bypassing Sanctions

For Russia, the summit provides a platform to discuss expanding trade with major players like China and India, which are vital markets for its economy.

Moscow is also keen to promote a payment system that bypasses the Western-controlled SWIFT network, offering a way for BRICS members to trade without fear of sanctions.

China and Russia are particularly interested in developing an international trading currency that could challenge the dominance of the U.S. dollar.

Beijing, which has been a strong advocate for enlarging BRICS, sees the summit as an opportunity to consolidate ties with like-minded nations, especially in the context of technological and military cooperation.

Iran and Russia’s Strategic Partnership

Russia is also expected to sign a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty with Iran during the summit, further deepening their collaboration.

Iran has supplied Russia with drones for its war efforts in Ukraine, while Tehran seeks sophisticated Russian military equipment in return.

Xi and Putin: A Show of Unity?

The summit will also serve as a stage for Xi and Putin to highlight their close relationship, having met twice already this year.

While they will present a united front, experts suggest Xi may use the opportunity to subtly distance himself from Russia’s war in Ukraine, maintaining China’s neutral stance as a peacemaker in the conflict.

India and Turkiye’s Balancing Acts

India’s Modi is expected to meet with Putin, aiming to balance New Delhi’s longstanding defense ties with Russia and its growing relations with the West.

Modi has refrained from condemning Russia but continues to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict.

Meanwhile, Turkiye’s Erdogan, frustrated with stalled EU membership talks and strained relations with the U.S., has applied for BRICS membership.

Joining BRICS would offer Erdogan more leverage as he navigates complex relationships with both the West and Russia.

The BRICS summit in Kazan is set to be a pivotal moment in international diplomacy, signalling the rise of a multipolar world order amid continued geopolitical tensions.

Read Also: The History Of BRICS And Its Founding Members

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