Russian President Vladimir Putin participated in the BRICS Business Forum in Moscow, Russia, on October 18, 2024, as part of hosting the latest BRICS summit. The event aims to advance Russia’s agenda of establishing a “new world order” that seeks to challenge Western dominance.
Originally consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, the BRICS group expanded in 2010 with the addition of South Africa. The organization has evolved into a geopolitical forum for powerful nations outside the Western bloc. The recent inclusion of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates in January underscores the attractiveness of BRICS membership for nations seeking greater trade, investment, and economic development opportunities.
Russia is attempting to court the “Global South,” which includes economically developing regions in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, in contrast to the “Global North,” traditionally led by the United States. President Vladimir Putin has expressed his intention to establish a “new world order” that could rival the geopolitical and economic influence wielded by the U.S.-led West.
Russia, currently leading the BRICS presidency and facing economic isolation due to Western sanctions, views the summit as an opportunity to showcase its continued international respect and the support of allies amidst its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Putin has characterized the expanded BRICS group as a sign of the association’s growing clout in international affairs and has expressed intentions for the “BRICS+” format to pose challenges to the West on both geopolitical and economic levels. He remarked at the BRICS business forum that member countries are drivers of global economic growth and emphasized the importance of economic sovereignty for BRICS members, implying reduced reliance on external influences.
Earlier in October, Putin indicated willingness to use the summit to discuss interactions in an emerging multipolar world and build a new world order with allies and partners. The upcoming BRICS and Outreach/BRICS Plus summit is being prepared in this context, with nearly 40 nations from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America attending to strengthen ties with the global South.
Analysts have suggested that the BRICS coalition’s expansion is indicative of a collective movement away from Western dominance, reflecting a global shift aimed at challenging Western economic hegemony. However, there remains uncertainty about the degree to which BRICS+ can compete with Western-dominated entities like the G7 and align on a cohesive international vision.
During the 16th BRICS summit titled “strengthening multilateralism for just global development and security,” leaders will discuss pressing global and regional issues, focusing on politics, security, economy, finance, and cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Discussion about expanding BRICS to include “partner states” is also on the agenda.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is not expected to feature prominently in discussions, as reported by Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, although participants may address it at their discretion. Instead, the focus will reportedly be on international issues, particularly the escalating situation in the Middle East, and sustaining development in the Global South.
Putin is scheduled to meet with several leaders, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, China’s President Xi Jinping, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. It is also anticipated that a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” agreement could be signed between Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, reflecting ongoing military and defense cooperation.
Meetings with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi are planned for the week, according to Yury Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy aide. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva canceled his visit due to an injury. Saudi Arabia, invited to join BRICS but not yet a formal member, is participating in the summit in Kazan, Russia, while Argentina opted out of joining BRICS in 2023, citing a shift in foreign policy.
