A number of Russia’s prominent allies have come together in support of President Vladimir Putin on the opening day of an important summit, which the Kremlin anticipates will demonstrate the failure of Western efforts to isolate Russia due to its actions in Ukraine.
Mr. Putin is welcoming around 20 global leaders—including President Xi Jinping of China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey—to a three-day BRICS gathering in the central city of Kazan.
The Kremlin leader aims to utilize the forum to confront the West and promote his vision of a “multipolar world,” positioning it as a safeguard against US “hegemony.”
This gathering marks the largest diplomatic event in Russia since the deployment of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, and follows Mr. Putin’s decision to forgo attending last year’s summit in South Africa after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him.
Vladimir Putin holds talks with China’s President Xi Jinping
However, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, now entering its third year, casts a shadow over the proceedings.
Mr. Modi, positioning himself as a potential peacemaker, urged for a swift resolution to the conflict during televised discussions with Mr. Putin.
“We have maintained constant communication regarding the situation between Russia and Ukraine,” Mr. Modi expressed to Mr. Putin after they greeted each other with a handshake and an embrace.
“We believe that disputes should only be resolved through peaceful means. We fully support efforts to promptly restore peace and stability,” the Indian leader further stated.
India has managed a careful balancing act since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, offering humanitarian assistance to Kyiv while steering clear of outright condemnation of Russia’s actions.
Mr. Modi visited Kyiv in August and Moscow in July, attempting to promote dialogue—an initiative that seemingly made little headway.
This year, Moscow has continued its advancements on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine, concurrently enhancing its relationships with nations such as China, Iran, and North Korea.
Xi praises China’s ‘profound’ ties with Russia
Meanwhile, Mr. Xi commended the “profound” relationship between China and Russia in what he described as a “chaotic” world.
These ties have “provided a strong impetus for the development, revitalization, and modernization of both nations,” Mr. Xi noted.
Mr. Putin viewed relations with Beijing as vital for fostering global “stability.”
“Cooperation between Russia and China in international affairs acts as one of the stabilizing factors in the global landscape. We plan to further enhance our coordination across all multilateral frameworks to promote global security and a fair world order,” he remarked to Mr. Xi.
The two leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine privately, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who did not disclose specifics.
“There was an exchange of views regarding Ukraine,” the spokesman mentioned.
Putin and Jinping at the welcoming ceremony
“Overall, on the international agenda, we observed a significant alignment of positions,” Mr. Peskov added.
Ukraine has criticized China for its support of Mr. Putin, accusing Beijing of enabling Moscow’s military actions.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has also called for an end to the conflict, referred to Moscow as a “valued ally” and friend during his meeting with Mr. Putin.
“We continue to regard Russia as a valued ally, as a cherished friend, who has supported us since the beginning: from our battle against Apartheid to now,” Ramaphosa stated.
US dismisses ‘geopolitical rival’ notion
The summit is taking place under heightened security in Kazan.
Located about 1,000 km from the Ukrainian border, the surrounding Tatarstan region has previously faced drone attacks from Kyiv.
Movement restrictions have been imposed in the city center, with residents advised to remain indoors, and university students relocated from dormitories, according to local reports.
Among the topics set to be discussed are Putin’s proposal for a BRICS-led payment system designed to rival SWIFT, the international financial network from which Russian banks were severed in 2022, along with the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Separate discussions between Mr. Putin and Mr. Erdogan, as well as Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, are scheduled for tomorrow.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is slated to meet Mr. Putin on Thursday—a visit criticized by Ukraine’s foreign ministry.
Mr. Guterres’s deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq, informed reporters today that the UN chief aims to engage with a “large number” of leaders in Kazan.
When asked about discussions with Mr. Putin, he indicated that Mr. Guterres would “reaffirm his well-known stances” on the Ukraine situation and outline “the conditions for just peace.”
Since its inception in 2009 with four founding members—Brazil, Russia, India, and China—BRICS has expanded to include additional emerging countries like South Africa, Egypt, and Iran.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, meeting with Mr. Putin for talks this evening, commended “the progress of bilateral relations,” highlighting Russia’s “effective contribution” to national initiatives such as the construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro made a previously unannounced arrival. Although his country is not part of BRICS, it is eager to join. He was reported by Russian news agencies as calling the group “the epicenter of the new multipolar world.”
The United States has downplayed the notion that BRICS could serve as a “geopolitical rival,” although it has voiced concerns regarding Moscow’s diplomatic assertiveness in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
