BRICS Summit 2024: Putin Charts a New Course for the Global South Despite Ukraine’s Shadow
In a significant display of diplomatic maneuvering, Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded a landmark BRICS summit in Kazan that brought together an unprecedented gathering of 36 nations, challenging Western attempts to isolate Moscow on the global stage.
As your correspondent in Kazan, I witnessed firsthand how this three-day summit transformed the political landscape of the developing world. The expansion of BRICS has created waves in international politics, with five new powerhouse nations—Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia—joining the original members—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
The summit’s atmosphere crackled with tension as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made his first visit to Russia in over two years. His presence added weight to discussions about the ongoing Ukraine conflict, though his calls for “a just peace” aligned with UN principles seemed to echo through halls already filled with alternative agendas.
In a bold move that caught many observers’ attention, Putin directly addressed former US President Trump’s recent statements about ending the Ukraine conflict. “We welcome such statements, no matter who makes them,” Putin declared, his words carefully measured yet pointed.
The summit’s focus on financial cooperation revealed the BRICS bloc’s growing ambition. Plans for a new payment system to rival SWIFT emerged as a central theme, with member nations seeking to dodge Western sanctions and create independent trading channels. This development marks a significant shift in global financial power dynamics.
Perhaps most striking was the visible expansion of BRICS’ influence. Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Malaysia have now formally applied for membership, with several other nations expressing interest in joining. This growth transforms BRICS from a simple acronym into what Putin termed “the global majority.”
The summit wasn’t without its controversies. Questions about North Korean troops in Russia hung in the air, with Putin’s cryptic response about satellite images adding to the intrigue. The same day, Moscow ratified a military assistance pact with North Korea, raising eyebrows among Western observers.
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s presence reinforced the summit’s significance. His emphasis on global security and mention of a joint China-Brazil peace plan for Ukraine highlighted BRICS’ growing role in international conflict resolution, though Ukraine has rejected these proposals.
India’s position remained particularly interesting, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi maintaining his delicate balance between historical ties with Russia and Western relationships. India’s approach exemplifies the complex diplomatic dance many developing nations now perform.
The summit’s joint declaration took direct aim at Western sanctions, labeling them “unlawful unilateral coercive measures.” Members committed to developing new financial tools that would be “faster, low-cost, more efficient, transparent, safe, and inclusive.”
As the summit concluded, Putin’s closing remarks painted a picture of a new world order emerging from the Global South. He criticized Western methods as “perverse,” claiming they lead to new conflicts while ignoring the interests of developing nations.
Russian state media celebrated the summit as a triumph, with broadcasts highlighting how BRICS nations now represent roughly half the world’s population. The message was clear: the era of Western “hegemony” faces unprecedented challenges.
As your correspondent leaves Kazan, it’s undeniable that this BRICS summit represents a crucial juncture in international relations. Whether it truly reshapes the global order remains to be seen, but the foundations for significant change have been laid in Russia’s ancient Volga city.