With the growing influence of emerging economies, Russian President Vladimir Putin closed the BRICS summit on Thursday in Kazan. The three-day conference brought together leaders and representatives from 36 nations, reflecting Russia’s resilience in the face of Western sanctions and showcasing BRICS as a counterweight to what Putin described as the “perverse methods” of the West.
The BRICS bloc, originally a coalition of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has recently expanded its focus to include new members and interested parties such as Iran, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, marking a new chapter in the group’s evolution since its founding in 2009. The summit drew high-profile attendees, including U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose presence marked his first visit to Russia in over two years. Guterres’ call for a “just peace” in Ukraine underscored the gravity of the conflict, which permeated the discussions.
The summit also tackled pressing global concerns, including ongoing violence in Gaza, Lebanon, and Sudan, reflecting BRICS’ expanded interests beyond economics to encompass global security. These issues highlighted the bloc’s ambition to assert its influence over a broad array of international challenges.
In a series of pointed remarks, Putin condemned Western actions, accusing them of attempting to curb the Global South’s rising influence through “illegal unilateral sanctions” and “blatant protectionism.” He argued that these measures stifle emerging economies and undermine global stability. “Such perverse methods and approaches lead to the emergence of new conflicts and the aggravation of old disagreements,” Putin remarked, directly referencing the conflict in Ukraine, which he claimed was driven by Western disregard for Russian security interests and the rights of Russian-speaking people.
At the heart of Putin’s address was the belief that BRICS could serve as a crucial balancing force against Western hegemony. He noted that the alliance’s expanding membership reflects the mounting frustration among developing nations with Western-dominated global institutions.
A key focus of the summit was economic cooperation, particularly the development of alternatives to Western-led financial systems. In response to sanctions and restrictions, Russia has been actively pushing for a new payment system that would operate independently of the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), the global bank messaging network that facilitates cross-border transactions. Such an alternative would enable sanctioned nations, including Russia, to conduct trade with allied countries without interference from the West.
In a joint declaration issued Wednesday, summit participants denounced “unlawful unilateral coercive measures, including illegal sanctions,” and expressed a shared commitment to enhancing financial cooperation within BRICS. They highlighted the advantages of creating a cross-border payment mechanism that is “faster, low-cost, more efficient, transparent, safe and inclusive,” advocating for a system that minimizes trade barriers and promotes non-discriminatory access for member nations.
This financial independence initiative is seen as a major step in challenging the Western-dominated financial landscape. Experts suggest that a successful alternative to SWIFT could drastically shift the balance of power in global trade and finance, offering BRICS nations a greater say in economic matters.
The summit also saw discussions around the so-called “BRICS Plus” framework, an initiative aimed at expanding the bloc’s membership. Countries including Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Malaysia have already expressed interest, while others were invited to observe the discussions in Kazan. The expansion of BRICS signals the bloc’s ambition to become a broader coalition representing a substantial share of the world’s population and economy.
President Xi Jinping of China emphasized BRICS’ expanding influence, stating that the alliance must “ensure global security.” He added that the bloc should focus on de-escalating tensions, particularly in Ukraine. China, along with Brazil, has proposed a peace plan for Ukraine, though it has been dismissed by Kyiv, which views the proposal as biased towards Russia’s interests.
The growing interest from nations in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia suggests that BRICS could soon evolve into a major international alliance capable of influencing policy on a global scale.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine was a central theme at the summit, with U.N. Secretary-General Guterres urging a “just peace” aligned with international law and the U.N. Charter. However, the discussions reflected deep divisions between BRICS members and Western powers over how the conflict should be resolved.
Putin also commented on statements made by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pledged to end the war in Ukraine if re-elected. “What Mr. Trump said recently, what I heard, [is] he spoke about the desire to do everything to end the conflict in Ukraine,” Putin said. “It seems to me that he said it sincerely. We certainly welcome statements of this kind, no matter who makes them.” This comment reflects a cautious optimism from the Russian leader that Trump, should he return to office, might approach U.S.-Russia relations with a fresh perspective.
Another sensitive issue addressed during the summit was the reported deployment of North Korean troops in Russia. When asked directly about the presence of 3,000 North Korean soldiers, Putin neither confirmed nor denied the claims, instead cryptically noting, “Images are a serious thing, if there are images, then they reflect something.”
Earlier on Thursday, Russian lawmakers ratified an agreement with North Korea on mutual military assistance, signaling a potential strengthening of ties between Moscow and Pyongyang. This development has heightened concerns in the West about a deepening Russia-North Korea alliance amid escalating tensions with NATO countries.
Putin and Xi Jinping’s “no-limits” partnership, reaffirmed through multiple meetings this year, stands as a central pillar of BRICS unity. The two leaders’ collaboration has strengthened amidst increasing Western sanctions on Russia. China’s significant economic weight within BRICS provides Russia with a crucial ally, and their shared goal of promoting a multipolar world order aligns with the bloc’s overarching mission.
Russia’s relationship with India also remains strong despite geopolitical tensions. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has maintained a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing a peaceful resolution while refraining from directly condemning Russia. India’s careful diplomatic balancing act has allowed it to continue its long-standing partnership with Russia, dating back to the Cold War, while also maintaining constructive relations with Western countries.
During his address at the BRICS Plus session, Secretary-General Guterres reiterated the U.N.’s commitment to peace and stability in conflict zones, urging an immediate end to hostilities in Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine, and Sudan. He emphasized the need for a resolution in Ukraine that aligns with the U.N. Charter and international law. His message was met with cautious acknowledgment, but BRICS leaders largely focused on the need for greater autonomy from Western influence, both politically and economically.
Russian state-controlled media portrayed the summit as a resounding success, emphasizing that BRICS now represents nearly half of the world’s population. Commentators on Kremlin-controlled news channels heralded the summit as proof of Russia’s growing influence and a strong rebuttal to Western efforts to isolate the nation. “The West, the U.S., Washington, Brussels, London ended up isolating themselves,” stated Yevgeny Popov, a prominent host on Rossiya 1, echoing the sentiment that BRICS is forming a new “global majority” that challenges Western dominance.
In Western media, reactions to the summit were mixed, with some analysts highlighting BRICS’ ambitious plans for financial and political independence, while others expressed skepticism about the feasibility of the bloc’s goals. The alliance’s expansion, however, has drawn considerable attention, with experts suggesting that an enlarged BRICS could reshape global power dynamics.
The Kazan summit underscored both the potential and challenges facing BRICS. While the bloc has grown substantially in influence and scope, it faces significant obstacles in achieving true economic independence and political unity. The development of an alternative financial system, for example, requires extensive coordination and could be undermined by technological and regulatory hurdles.
Moreover, while Russia and China share a vision for BRICS as a counterbalance to Western power, divergent interests among member nations may hinder cohesive action on global issues. Brazil and India, for instance, maintain relatively positive relations with Western nations and may resist policies that could jeopardize those ties.
Nonetheless, BRICS’ expansion and its members’ shared frustration with Western policies suggest that the bloc is well-positioned to play an increasingly influential role in global affairs. Whether it can effectively unite its diverse members around a common agenda remains to be seen, but the summit in Kazan has clearly demonstrated that BRICS is a force to be reckoned with on the world stage.
As BRICS continues to evolve, the international community will be watching closely to see how this coalition shapes the future of global governance, economic policy, and regional security.
