Russia is internet hosting this yr’s summit of the BRICS grouping starting at this time within the metropolis of Kazan. This yr’s assembly can also be the primary summit to incorporate new members Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, alongside its founding members Brazil, Russia, India and China, in addition to South Africa, which joined in 2010. (AP)
Our Take
The narrative framing across the BRICS bloc in recent times has been more and more centered on its function amid the brand new panorama of geopolitical competitors. This yr’s summit specifically seems to reveal Russian President Vladimir Putin’s skill to not solely keep away from the West’s makes an attempt to show Russia right into a pariah following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but in addition his try to make use of BRICS to type a substitute for the U.S-led order.
Each have some logic. Russia is internet hosting 36 nations for this summit, together with 20 heads of state. Putin himself will maintain 20 bilateral conferences this week. He and Moscow are clearly not remoted, not less than not as a lot because the West would love. And it’s true that Putin would like to see a substitute for the Western-led order emerge, one wherein Russia holds extra affect.
