Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded a BRICS summit by praising the bloc’s role as a counterbalance to Western influence, particularly criticizing what he called the West’s “perverse methods.” Held in Kazan, the three-day summit brought together leaders and representatives from 36 countries, showcasing the failure of Western-led efforts to isolate Russia due to its involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
The war in Ukraine was a recurring topic during the summit, and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, attending his first Russian event in over two years, called for a “just peace” in Ukraine and the cessation of conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Sudan. Ukraine expressed frustration with the summit, especially as it attracted wide international participation.
During a press conference, Putin addressed various topics, including former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on ending the Ukraine war. Putin welcomed Trump’s intentions to resolve the conflict, expressing openness to any statements aiming for peace.
He also responded cautiously to questions about North Korean troops in Russia, neither confirming nor denying their presence, despite reports of 3,000 North Korean soldiers stationed in Russia. Putin emphasized Russia’s strategic military partnership with North Korea, referencing a new agreement ratified by Russian lawmakers on mutual military assistance with Pyongyang.
Putin Hails BRICS Summit as Counter to Western Influence, Defends Russia’s Global Role Amid Ukraine War
A key focus of the summit was financial cooperation among BRICS members, with discussions on developing alternatives to Western-dominated financial systems like SWIFT. Russia, in particular, is pushing for a new payment network that would bypass Western sanctions and facilitate trade with other countries.
BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is expanding its membership to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, with additional countries expressing interest. The Kremlin hailed the event as the largest foreign policy gathering ever held in Russia, highlighting its importance in global geopolitics.
Throughout the summit, Putin and other BRICS leaders criticized the West’s use of sanctions, protectionism, and foreign influence, which they argued exacerbated global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine. Putin accused the West of using Ukraine to threaten Russia’s security and ignoring Russian concerns.
The BRICS participants issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to greater financial cooperation, calling for cross-border payment systems that would reduce trade barriers and ensure inclusivity, efficiency, and safety. Chinese President Xi Jinping also emphasized the need for global security and promoted a peace plan for Ukraine, although Ukraine has rejected such proposals.
The summit was portrayed by Russian state media as a significant victory for Russia, showing that the West’s attempts to isolate Moscow had failed.
BRICS countries now represent about half the world’s population, a fact used by Russian commentators to argue that the group has become a powerful force challenging Western dominance. Russian media underscored how the West had “isolated itself” rather than Russia, reflecting the Kremlin’s broader narrative that BRICS offers a viable alternative to Western global leadership.
